First signs of catastrophe

Arthur followed Poppy hesitantly, not sure how his wife would react to seeing him after their fight and nearly losing their unborn child.

Albus watched Arthur's steps slow down the nearer they came to the Hospital Wing. He couldn't blame the man. To him the mere thought of facing his own wife was terrifying. Albus constantly thanked God that his wife had been spared of carrying the child of her rapist. It was killing Albus inside, imagining Minerva impregnated by Lord Voldemort.

He stepped beside Arthur, hoping to give him silent support. 'The lad seems as nervous as he was on the day of his wedding', thought Albus highly amused, smiling at his wife's nickname for all the Weasley males.

Looming in front of them was now the great gull-wing door to the Hospital Wing. Poppy strode towards it purposefully. Arthur on the other hand stopped altogether, panic clearly readable in the man. A few steps ahead Poppy came to a halt as she realized neither man was following her. Looking back, she asked tentatively:

"What is wrong, Arthur?"

Arthur didn't answer her. What was there to say? That he felt too rotten to face his wife? That the mere thought of losing Molly was killing him? Mute he shook his head. He tried to calm his breathing and gather the last shreds of his courage. He had the worst scenarios in his mind.

"She is fast asleep ... at least that is how I left her. I gave her only a light dose of Dreamless Draught because of her pregnancy and blood loss", said Poppy reassuringly.

The smile she flashed at him lifted his heart a little. Still he felt more apprehensive than comfortable. No matter what state, awake or asleep, his wife was in, he had to face her and her accusations in the end. He took one step towards the door and found it was easier than he had thought. Breathing deeply, he took another step forward and another. He nodded to Poppy and she smiled back, opening the door for him. Arthur stepped through and ... stopped dead in his tracks. So did Albus and Poppy.

Molly lay prodded up in her bed and holding hands with Minerva. The elder witch sat on the edge of Molly's bed with her head in one hand and the other hand holding tightly onto Molly's as if it were a life line. Molly seemed pale and weak the way she lay in her bed but Minerva drew strength from her.

Arthur felt anger bubbling up in him at the sight of his wife and Minerva's shameless exploitation of her even now in her most fragile state.

"I don't know what is wrong with me. I simply don't know. Do I still love Albus? Yes ... or so I think but then I turn around and hate him with every fibre in my body. Do I trust my friends and family? No. I look at Severus and I'm back at the Riddle Manor with him hexing me when I was down already. I look at Remus and feel Greyback groping me while he drags me out of the cell for more torturing. I look at Arthur and imagine what he does to you ..."

"He is nothing but gentle and kind to me, Minerva. I can assure you of that."

Molly's voice was devoid of strength or conviction. She seemed to struggle to get the words out. Minerva looked up into her friend's face and tears were shining in her eyes.

"Is he really? Don't you think that if he was really 'gentle and kind' you wouldn't be laying here? Because of him you nearly lost your child", stated Minerva almost brutally.

Molly didn't look at her friend for fear of showing her own worries and doubts. She couldn't in all fairness give Arthur all the responsibility for the situation she was now in. Her own actions had taken her down this particular road and now she had to live with the consequences. Arthur was a dear ... really he was. He just felt neglected by her because she was fussing over Minerva. But her friend seemed to need fussing over more than her husband did. What he had said was nothing but the truth. She hadn't talked much with her children after her spectacular rescue from Lucius Malfoy. The simple reason was that she couldn't face her children after having used their images to stay alive and sane through rape and torture by Lucius. Especially her little daughter had made it clear that she wanted to talk about what had happened during her captivity. But Molly would be damned if her children ever found out what Lucius had done to her.

Minerva watched the emotions play over Molly's face faster than storm clouds. Apparently Molly felt somewhat the same as she felt herself. 'Perhaps then I'm not completely off the mark', thought Minerva hopefully.

Molly was still brooding over what Minerva had just said when she felt soft hands clasping gently over her cheeks and turning her face around. Minerva's eyes were very soft and held all her emotions. Molly opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by Minerva's soft feminine lips on her plush ones. Her eyes widened as she felt Minerva pressing her lips softly but insistently on hers. Minerva had her eyes blissfully closed and seemed to enjoy this kiss. But Molly wanted to pull away and break the kiss, unwanted as it was. Minerva followed her movement and braced her hands on the bed at either side of Molly's hips.

From the door it looked like Molly was leaning back on purpose, drawing her lover over her to deepen the kiss. Albus' eyes went wide. He couldn't believe what he saw happening. Minerva kissing a woman! She of all people! And what had she meant with the whole 'I love him but I hate him'?

Arthur sucked in his breath. Molly was leading Minerva on! She was lying down for her! So she really did hate him for jeopardizing their child and her life. And she had it seemed already found a substitute for him. He couldn't watch any longer ... he had to get away ...

Arthur saw Albus turning white as a sheet and his eyes burning. Apparently he was not the only one who needed to get away from this scene. Grabbing the other man's sleeve, he led him away.

Poppy saw both men retreating from the scene, shocked and angry. She couldn't understand either woman. Her sympathy clearly went out to the husbands. Both women had gone through rough times and suffered more than others had been able to bear ... but this was incredible. Not at all understandable.

"Where are you going?" she called after the men but got no answer.

Turning back to the kissing women, she noticed Molly's hand coming up and bracing itself against Minerva's shoulder.

With an effort Molly was able to push Minerva off her. Without thinking, she slapped her friend hard across the face.

"What were you thinking?" she cried out indignantly.

Minerva sat back up and blinked back tears. 'I won't let them fall', she thought warningly to herself. But they were threating to escape her not-so-iron-grip-anymore. Molly saw her friend tear up and softened her voice. Her friend seemed utterly confused and oddly deflated.

"What is the meaning of this, Minerva?" she asked more quietly.

"I'm sorry. I thought you felt the same", explained Minerva vaguely, turning away and getting out from her seat on the bed.

Molly's hand shot forward and clasped Minerva's wrist.

"Sit. Explain", she ordered briskly.

Minerva sat back down obediently but couldn't wrap her tongue around the right words to explain her state of mind. Her eyes were trained on the floor where her shoes drew little swirls and circles. Molly waited patiently with her hand still on Minerva's wrist in case the woman decided to try another run for it.

"I can't be with Albus and I thought you felt the same. You are the only one I feel close to right now. I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your signals", she said very quietly, still refusing to lift her gaze off the floor.

Molly blinked. And blinked again.

"What signals?"

It was the only thing that swan to the surface of her confused mind. She had NOT led Minerva on, had she? How so for goodness sake? Had she then maybe, just maybe, led on Bellatrix as well, all those years ago?

"You hesitated to defend Arthur. You always hold me when I feel alone. You are the only one I can stand to be in the same room with. Again I'm sor ..."

"Stop apologizing! So just because I am kind to you and went through the same as you and feel awkward around my husband you decided to kiss me?" Molly's patience was wearing thin and she had a distinct feeling that Minerva's answer might well be what she expected. She was right.

"Yes", said Minerva simply. 'What else is there to say for me?'

"God, you're so lucky I'm not Rolanda", muttered Molly, burrowing her head in her hands and groaning inwardly. She had to set that straight before Minerva followed that destructive course. "Minerva, turning lesbian is not a means of escaping men or working through the trauma of rape. I thought we discussed getting back with our husbands. I thought you were happy with Albus again. Minerva, I love Arthur. It's just that I'm still uncomfortable around him sometimes. Especially with this child on the way. Do you understand?" she asked kindly.

She searched Minerva's face but could only see half of it. Gently she clasped Minerva's chin and turned her head around to face her.

Suddenly there was a loud 'bang' from the door, causing both women to jump a foot high and Molly to clutch her abdomen, vincing in pain and groaning.

----

Albus walked furiously behind Arthur. He had never felt more betrayed in all his life. How could Minerva, the woman he loved more than life itself, do that to him? He was done being understandable, he was done being kind. Now was the time to force her to face her demons and come back to him again.

Arthur wanted to kick something ... or better he wanted a chance to kill Malfoy for altering his wife like this. This man was the reason his happiness had dissolved into thin air as if it had never even existed. But Molly had kissed Minerva. She wouldn't have done that if she had no feelings for the other woman. No, Molly had never been one to bestow kisses on just any boy. Her parents had taught her that kisses were important and should only be shared with someone she loved. Anger flared in him. Was he really running away without fighting for his wife? He was pathetic.

Both men turned at the same time and stormed in the direction of the Hospital Wing. On the way they picked up speed until they were running. Either their wives would listen to reason or they would force them to!

They ran past Poppy who flattened herself against the wall in fear of being trampled and crashed into the room where Minerva and Molly still sat closely together.

"Stop! ..."

"Hold it right there ..."

"My wife ..."

"How can you do that to me?"

"Molly! Am I not enough?"

"Mina! I love you, damn it!"

"I won't give you up ..."

"... without a good fight"

Both men shouted at the same time. Their words and sentences collided and merged together. It was impossible to tell who had said what.

Minerva had backed up against Molly in fear of her husband's anger. Molly had starred at her husband. The man actually thought she was having an affair with Mina?!?

"Take your hands off my wife!" shouted Arthur at Mina.

The terrified woman raised her hands over her head in a clear gesture of surrender and scooted away from Molly. Molly on the other hand narrowed her eyes at her husband and wrapped one arm around Mina's waist, drawing her back in.

"That's gone far enough. Unhand my wife this instance!" Now it was Albus' turn to yell furiously.

"Have you two lost your mind?" asked Molly quiet amiably.

Both men starred at her as if she had just transfigured herself into Fluffy. She starred back at them fiercely but before she could say somethind else, she was cut off by Poppy bustling in.

"I said no stress or excitement. Now this is both", bristled the matron and looked down on Molly reproachfully.

"Tell my husband and Professor Dumbledore. I am quiet calm", answered Molly without blinking.

"I saw you kissing!" yelled both men at the same time.

"Ah, I see", muttered Molly. "now, boys, you see that was just a goodnight kiss between friends. You are men, so you don't understand but women are not as afraid as boys to show their affections to others of the same sex", she lied smoothly, hoping like hell they would accept this explanation.

Both men looked very doubtful and Molly's heart sank low. What happened next was that unexpected that it caught Molly completely off guard and nearly convinced both men of the sincerity of her words.

Minerva had stood up and walked over to Albus, wrapping her slender arms around his waist and snuggling into his side lovingly.

"I love you", she said quietly and for the first time she didn't mean it.

Albus faltered for a moment, but only for a moment. He knew his wife better than anyone else. He couldn't believe that Molly had lied but hadn't been able to come up with another explanation that wouldn't hurt. He was willing to believe her, even if only so his heart wouldn't break. But Minerva saying she loved him after kissing Molly was wrong. He was assured that it was a lie. Rudely he pushed her away from him and fought the urge to shake her till her teeth rattled or even to slap her silly.

"How dare you say that and not mean it!" he roared, outraged but holding his temper back from flaring and consuming his control completely.

Minerva backed away from him. No answer came over her lips. No reassuring word. She just turned and fled the room, running as fast as her long legs could. Albus was hot on her heels but older and that not by few years.

Arthur starred down at Molly. His own eyes were burning. She had lied to him too.

"The truth, please. I know you must hate ..."

"Shut up, Arthur!" she yelled angrily.

Hot tears were falling from her eyes. She was angry at Minerva for kissing her, angry at Arthur for yelling at her and blaming himself, angry at herself for some idiotic reason or other.

"Please, sit down", those words were spoken in a quieter tone but still accompanied by hot tears.

Arthur complied, sitting himself on a chair by her bed.

"She kissed him. I didn't kiss her back. She said I was the only one she felt close to", explained Molly softly.

"Has it ever occurred to you that you are NOT helping matters by forever getting between her and Albus?" Arthur asked quietly.

Molly nodded mutely.

"Please, don't leave me, Arthur", she whispered, "I'll change, I promise ... I will be a good wife again ... I'll do anything ..."

Subconsciously she used the same whining, appeasing tone she had used to stop Lucius and Rudolphus from hurting her more. She begged her husband the same way she had begged Lucius to just kill her and put her out of her misery. Arthur was by her side and shook her lightly.

"Molly, I am NOT Lucius", he said insistently, trying to break through to her. "I love you but I would never force you to stay with me without you loving me."

Panic constricted Minerva's wind pipe and she clutched Arthur's cloak and shirt in her hands convulsively, scratching at his flesh as well. Her eyes were wide and fearful.

"No, please, I do love you. I need you", she whispered.

Her body pressed against his, her breasts flattening against his chest. She butted his face with her head lightly. Her lips placed feather-light kisses over his lips, his jaw, his eye lids. She was offering herself to him, despite nearly miscarrying her child.

Arthur pushed her away lightly and held her at arm's length.

"I will not accept what you offer, Molly, unless you offer out of love", he said softy, locking eyes with her to make sure she understood.

----

Minerva was faster than Albus. Her adrenaline carrying her swiftly where she wanted to go.

Albus couldn't keep up with her. She was surprisingly fast for a woman just recovered from multiple rapes and torture. His lungs burned with the need for oxygen and his legs felt like lead. He came to a staggering halt and wheezed for air.

Ahead of him Minerva rounded a corner and shot out of sight. Her legs carried her where she wanted to go without her mind needing to give directions. Reaching the gargoyle to Albus' office, she skidded to a halt and leaned against it for a moment to catch her she had regained some, she wheezed:

"Ginger Newts."

Albus had changed it when they had rescued her to give her yet again proof that she was at home. The gargoyle moved to the side and winked at her.

"Setting up a surprise for Professor Dumbledore? You're in luck then, Professor, he's not in."

She didn't have the energy to contradict him and just nodded before stepping onto the spiralling staircase. Up she went into his office and soon found the secret passageway to the cells where Voldemort was hidden.

Behind his desk was a little window on the floor. She had always wondered what the window was for. Now she had an idea and pointed her wand at it.

"Alohomora!"

Nothing happened.

"Well, of course not. That would have been too easy. Bombarda!"

The glass burst into sharp splinters and the floor rippled and formed stairs to the now wide hole down into darkness.

Minerva illuminated her wand and moved cautiously towards the hole. Every now and then she would peek over her shoulder to make sure she was still alone and Albus had not returned. Down she went and heard the faint clinking of chains against stones. She let herself be led by the sound and soon ended up in a chamber lit by torches in brackets on the walls. There was an armchair and a little table. The armchair faced bars and a cell behind them.

In this cell sat Lord Voldemort, chained to the wall and paler and thinner than ever. He looked up when he heard her heels clicking on the stone floor.

"You are certainly not who I expected", he sneered. "Finally convinced the old man ..."

"Don't call him that!" she said angrily. "On second thought, don't say a word."

Surprisingly enough, he obeyed her, observing her closely. Minerva prowled the room for a moment not sure what she wanted to do now that she had finally found him.

She cast him looks of loathing from time to time and yet Voldemort was not afraid of her. In his current state, she could easily kill him. He was wandless and his wandless magic had been cancelled by Dumbledore. He was defenceless but he somehow knew she would not attack him.

Suddenly she raised her wand, causing the coward in Tom the cringe back and tremble. Her wand came down harshly and the iron door swung open with the lock melted. With a movement too fast for him to follow, she towered over him and whipped her wand again. This time his chains dropped to the floor with loud clanking sounds.

"Go! That is all I can do for you ... for old times' sake."

Tom didn't need telling twice. He was sure that Dumbledore would kill him ... but why was Minerva helping him after what he had done to her? Suddenly he sneered. He had succeeded in breaking her to his will.

A./N.: Any ideas what happens next? :) I'm mean but let me make one thing clear. This story is written from own experience. Molly is how I was after my unfortunate encounter and Minerva is how I could have ended. Ideas, Comments, Requests, everything is welcome.