Hello fellow isolators!

So I was supposed to get this chapter uploaded much earlier today but then I started playing a little World of Warcraft and lost track of time, you know how that goes. And then I realised that I hadn't text my mum back but that I had so much to update her on that it was probably quicker to call... 2 hours later I just said goodnight to her... so that's why this is only just going out now.

Anyhoo, how are you all doing? I hope you're all well and that you haven't gone stir-crazy yet.

So this chapter... it took a very surprising turn from the moment I began to write it. I just started writing, fully expecting it to be Minerva's point of view and didn't even realise what I'd done until about four paragraphs in when I realised I wasn't writing from her view. I did think about changing it all to her perspective and I thought, meh, fuck it! Let's get it! So yeah. Trying something new, not sure if I'll do it again but thought I'd give it a try. Please let me know what you think! :)

My intros are becoming as long as my chapters... I need to stop... sigh.

On to the chapter!

Happy reading x


Chapter 16

The King let go of his sword, surrendering to the Rook who had been descending on him. Filius let out a heavy sigh and sat back in his chair with a chuckle. This made it seven defeats in a row over the course of the school year so far. He looked up at his opponent and noticed that she was staring down at the King, no sign of the joy usually in her eyes when she took him down. He frowned.

"This is your seventh win," he sat up straight. "You're not anywhere near as pleased as I thought you would be." He watched her as she continued to stare and he realised she was completely lost in thought. "Neva?" Still no response. "Minerva?"

Finally, she glanced up at him, then back down at the board once more. He watched her lips twitch as she smiled, having realised she had won.

"I'm sorry Filius, I didn't realised it had finished," she said.

"You were in dream land for a moment there," he gave her a smile.

"I'm sorry," she said again and began to pack away the pieces.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine," she gave him a slight smile. "I'm just tired."

Filius eyed her cautiously. He had known Minerva a very long time, had come to know her so well that he could tell she was lying to him.

"Tell me the truth," he said softly.

Minerva gave a frustrated sigh and stopped what she was doing. She stood up from the table and walked away.

"Something is bothering you," he said. "You clearly have something on your mind..."

"I don't want to talk about it," she said dismissively.

Filius knew he should leave the topic alone, should give her the space if she needed it. But if he was honest, this wasn't the first time he'd noticed something was wrong. When she had returned to the school, she seemed keen on getting back into her routine and it wasn't unusual to see her working longer hours in her classroom. After all, she had been away for a few months and would no doubt have much to catch up on.

However, he'd noticed that she was withdrawn from the usual school activities. At meal times, while she did attend the hall to eat, she was quiet and would leave immediately after she'd finished rather than talk with her colleagues as she usually did. She didn't spend much time in the Staff Room, taking to her own rooms for breaks and tea instead. Pomona and Poppy had mentioned to him that they had barely seen her in the weeks after she returned. In truth, he was worried about her but he had been trusting her to come to him if she needed it. It would appear that she wasn't planning on talking to him.

"If there is any way that I can help..."

"I don't need help," she interrupted sharply. "I just need to be left alone."

It was a familiar sight seeing her like that. He wished it wasn't, but he remembered seeing her like this when she first came to the school, when she was still grieving Bertie... it had taken a long time to reach her then.

"Being alone is not the answer to the world's problems," he said tentatively.

"It's the answer to this problem," she said.

"Minerva..." he stood up and walked toward her. She was being stubborn, almost childish, but of course he would never say that to her. "You should talk to someone, if not me then maybe Severus?"

"I've already been through this with him a few days ago," she said.

"Then what about Lydia?"

"She has her own things to deal with," she said cryptically. Filius took hold of her hand.

"I'm worried about you," he said honestly. Minerva gave a dry laugh.

"You and me both," she said, which only made him worry even more. "I'll be fine," she said after a moment.

"You're not," Filius said as he grasped her hand tighter. "Denying it and pushing through it without help isn't going to do anything. Open up to someone, please."

He watched her eyes fill with tears and she quickly closed them. A stray tear fell across her cheek and she shook her head.

"I can't..." she wiped at her cheek. "I'm not ready..."

"I'm not saying now," he said. "When you're ready, promise me you'll talk to someone." She gave him the first real smile she'd given him all night.

"I will," she said softly. "I promise."

It was those kinds of moments that Filius saw the young girl who walked into his classroom all those years ago. She'd been shy then, quiet but she had a fire in her, a thirst for knowledge. It hadn't taken her long before she grew into a powerhouse, even as a teenager her power had been evident. Despite the troubles at home, Minerva had excelled, had gone from strength to strength and after the death of her father, she had seemed only more determined to learn. He had never had another student like her and he doubted he ever would again.

"You'll be alright," he gave her an encouraging smile. "You always are." She rolled her eyes but she laughed a little.

"Ever the optimist," she said to him as she leaned in and enveloped him in a hug. "Thank you," she whispered.

An hour later, Filius said goodnight to his friend and left her to enjoy the rest of her evening alone. Just as he closed her door behind him, he looked up to see the Headmaster walking toward him.

"Good evening Albus," Filius gave him a welcoming smile. "What brings you to this part of the castle so late?"

"I thought a little stroll might help me to sleep," Albus said and Filius noticed the way the older man's eyes flicked toward Minerva's door.

"Are you having difficulty sleeping?" He asked with concern.

"Not particularly," Albus replied. Filius laughed. "Come, I'll walk with you on your way to your quarters."

Filius began to walk with the Headmaster and he couldn't help but think about what he was really doing here.

"Were you playing chess tonight?" Albus asked.

"Yes we were," Filius said. "Minerva is still on her winning streak."

"She is an excellent chess player," Albus agreed. "How did she seem to you?"

Filius smiled. He knew the Headmaster had been here for a reason. "She seems to have a lot in her mind."

"I fear her suspension allowed her to doubt her actions," Albus said.

"I don't think she would have changed what she did..." Filius began but Albus shook his head.

"No," Albus said. "She would never regret protecting her family but I think she is questioning what she had to do to save him."

"What she had to do?" Filius frowned. "You make it sound like she killed someone... oh Albus... tell me she didn't..."

"She didn't kill anyone," Albus said quickly. "But I don't fully know what happened. Minerva has only revealed what she needed to and Severus has said nothing on the matter."

"You're worried about her," Filius realised. He could see the concern in his friends eyes, could see it in the way his brow furrowed. "Have you spoken to her?"

"She is adamant she is 'fine'," Albus said with a slow nod.

"I got the same thing," Filius said. "She promised me she would talk to someone when she was ready."

"I fear you are more patient than I, my friend."

"Don't push her, Albus," Filius said gently. "I know you're worried about her but if you push her, she will retreat even further. We've been here before, remember?"

"I had hoped we'd never be back here," Albus said.

Albus would never say it, but it was clear to everyone who spoke to him just how much Minerva meant to him. While he cared deeply for the children in his care, he had always remained resolute in his belief that he had never wanted children. But Filius had a feeling that his old friend saw in Minerva the child he never had. Or perhaps it went deeper than that. Did he see Ariana?

"You can't fix her problems for her," Filius continued. "She must work through this herself and we, as before, will stand by her side and support her."

"I worry she will leave," Albus said, showing a vulnerability that was rare in him.

"I know she offered her resignation but I don't honestly believe she would abandon the children," Filius gave him a soft smile. "Her loyalty to them will be one of the things that will help her trough this dark period."

Albus looked unconvinced. "I will speak with..."

"Don't," Filius interrupted him. He knew the Headmaster was going to say that he would speak with Severus. "She hinted that they have talked about this already. From the tone of her voice, it didn't sound like it went too well."

"So we just sit back and wait?" Albus asked.

"I think it's for the best," Filius said. "Its best we not get involved just yet... and we should definitely not involve Severus, I've poked my nose into their business before and believe me when I say I have learned my lesson to never do that again."

Albus laughed. "That is easy to believe," he said. "I will refrain from getting involved for the time being but please, will you tell me if matters get worse?"

"Of course," Filius promised. "I will keep watched over her."

"Thank you my friend," Albus gave him a relieved smile.

When they finally reached Filius' quarters, they wished each other a good night and retreated to their own rooms.

As he walked into his living room he noticed the pile of papers still waiting for him. The only downside to being a teacher was the never ending piles of essays to mark. He took off his outer robes and got settled at his desk to begin. He knew he couldn't put it off forever.

As he marked, his mind drifted back to Minerva. He had confidence that she would find her way back, that she would find a way of working through whatever problems plagued her mind. He just hoped that she would open up to Severus, that she would share her burdens with him. He knew the young teacher would be there for her, would do right by her. He couldn't help but smile whenever he thought about the two of them, whatever it was they shared, he was glad they had found each other. They each deserved some peace, a little bit of happiness. He hoped they had found it in each other as friends but even more so, he hoped they had found a little bit of love too. Everyone deserved to be loved and he couldn't think of two people who deserved it more in this life.

When Filius had finished the last of his marking, he realised with a sense of satisfaction that the time was not as late as he thought it was.

He made himself some tea, collected his book from his bedside cabinet and settled down in front of the fire. He glanced up at the two Jays who were sitting on the mantel, dozing in the warmth of the fire.

Just as he was about to open his book, he felt a tingle up his spine and he looked up at his birds once more, only to find them looking at the door.

"The dark one is here," a small male voice whispered at the back of his mind said.

"He has questions," the female voice whispered said. "Questions about the Lady."

Filius jumped up from his seat and ran to the door. While he and Severus had spent time together since his arrival as a teacher, he had never come to his personal quarters. Before the younger man had knocked on the door, Filius opened it.

"Severus," Filius gave him a warm smile. "This is a welcome surprise."

"It doesn't seem much of a surprise," Severus said in that droll, sarcastic way of his. "You opened the door before I knocked."

"My guards," Filius ushered him into the room and closed the door before he beckoned him over to the fireplace. "The brown jay is Fitz, the blue is Lizzie."

"You have birds instead of a painting?" Severus asked.

"They took the form of birds when they were passed to me," Filius reached out a hand and stroked Fitz's chest. The bird trilled lightly. "My father had them before me, they were basset hounds then."

"So what are they?" Severus asked, his ever curious mind keen to learn.

"No one knows," Filius laughed. "But they are fiercely loyal and they either have an extraordinarily long life or they are immortal. My father received them from his best friend, before that they had lived in his family for years."

"Interesting," Severus said as he stepped closer to the two birds. Filius knew the moment his birds spoke to him, could see the surprise in Severus' eyes. "They are telepathic?"

"Indeed they are," Filius smirked. "That is how I knew you were at my door."

"Fascinating," Severus said getting even closer to the birds. "May I touch them?" Filius nodded and he watched Severus lift his hand. Before he touched them, both birds stood up and bumped their heads against his fingers.

"They like you," Filius laughed. "They don't take to people so quickly but you seem to be different. They only other person they're fond of is..."

"Minerva," Severus finished his sentence. "Yes, they said."

Filius wondered what else his birds had said but he didn't ask, nor would he ever. His birds were wise, intelligent creatures and whatever conversations they had with others, was between them. As his father used to say, if they wanted everyone to know what they talked about, they would speak out loud like the rest of us.

Filius returned to his sofa and watched Severus with the Jays for a moment. The conversation wasn't long and soon Severus stepped back.

"Thank you," he said quietly before turning back to Filius.

"Make yourself comfortable," Filius nodded to the armchair closest to Severus. "I'm glad you've stopped by but I have a feeling this isn't just a social visit."

"No," Severus said and Filius couldn't help but notice that he seemed nervous. "I need to speak with Lydia McGonagall."

"I'm sure Minerva could arrange that for you..."

"She can't know," he shook his head.

Filius frowned. He wanted to ask what business he had with Lydia but he knew it wasn't his place. "Is everything alright?" He asked instead.

"I have something..." Severus paused. "Something that might she might want."

"Want?" Filius was confused.

"I have been working on a potion that I think she will be interested in learning more about," he took a deep breath. "Please do not ask me anymore than that, it is not my place to divulge any more information than what I have already."

"But why do you need to speak to Lydia and not Minerva?"

Severus gave a heavy sigh. "I have designed this potion for Lydia and I have come to the point where I need to test the potion on the person it was designed for. I can only find out so much from testing it on myself, the magic in this potion is too much for someone... like me... but I need to know what Lydia feels, what she experiences."

"This could be very dangerous," Filius said.

"I know," Severus stood up and began to pace in front of the fire. Fitz and Lizzie watched him keenly. "But there is nothing too dangerous in the potion and as long as we take every precaution then..."

"We?" Filius asked.

"You and I," Severus said as though it was the most obvious answer.

"Usually people ask for help first," Filius laughed. "I really think that Minerva ought to know. You know how angry she will be when she learns what we did behind her back. Not to mention what she'll have to say should anything go wrong!"

"Do you agree to help?" Severus asked.

"I don't even know what I'm agreeing to," he said.

"I just need to get Lydia somewhere where I am able to talk to her," Severus said. "Then if she agrees, I will need your help for the test."

Filius shook his head at what he was about to do. "Fine," he said. "But I suggest we take the Jays with us, wherever we end up. They could be useful..."

"They already agreed to it," Severus said and Filius thought back to when he thanked the birds. "They will make it easier to see into Lydia's mind to find out what she's experiencing. They will be less intrusive than I would be using Legilimency, not to mention potentially safer."

"I still think you should inform Minerva about it," Filius said. "But I will write to Lydia and ask to meet with you. You can explain the rest to her."

"Thank you," Severus said and Filius could hear in his voice just his much he meant it.

Whatever was about to happen, Filius hoped Severus had properly thought through it.


Soooo... what did you think? Please be kind :D

I hope you enjoyed it and I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has reviewed and added me to alerts. I really appreciate it and you're certainly making this isolation bearable with your kind words.

Stay safe! Until next time... x