I don't own Harry Potter

New Yorker over here. We are quarantined, at least voluntarily. I am already working from home. Stay safe people! And STAY HOME!

Please read and review

Chapter 49

Tom woke up to a mild headache and a cold. He knew he was sick. He should have eaten better and not stayed at work so late that week. It was the February chill; he was sure of it. He called for Bapsy. She gave him the tea he wanted. She tried to make him stay in bed but Tom's will was more powerful. He was on the verge of something big he knew it. They would announce a treaty that allowed for the muggle catastrophe department to increase in size, with better trained officials, actual muggleborns who understood muggle life and did not obliviate muggles without regards to their welfare.

He made it to his study and re-read the letter his mum sent him. Well, Ms. Emma Driver. She and his father Mr. Driver were perfectly fine. They lived in a small farm in Iowa. They were quiet happy and healthy. Ms. Driver was so glad that they had remained in contact after his help with finding her father in France.

Dear Ms. Driver,

I am happy that you are fine. I read the books you recommended and are happy to report that they were every illustrating. There are no major developments so far. I am busy with work trying to do my best. Atria is well taken care of. She is in very good hands. Please tell Mr. Driver that I am trying my best to help people like you. Please be sure to write soon.

Tom Snape.

He coughed and then motioned for Bapsy to take the hand and deliver it to the post office. He placed the stamps clearly.

Tom attempted to shower but he almost doubled in pain from a headache. He sat down for a bit and coughed until he was breathless. He heard the door and called for Bapsy. "Make them go away." He said and moved to his bedroom. The shower would have to wait. He needed to be dressed and floo to the ministry as soon as possible.

He tried to put in one of his legs on the trousers when Minerva burst in. "What are you doing here?" He sneezed and coughed.

"Bapsy let me in. She is worried about you. She said you fainted in the bath." Minerva scolded him and tried to unbutton his trousers.

"I pictured the renewal of our sexual relationship very differently." He smirked at her. Minerva glared at him.

"Go back to bed. I will make you some soup and hot tea." She pushed him into his pajamas.

Tom waited until Minnie was out the door to try and dress again. Either he was too slow or Minerva had unheard of cooking skills.

"Go back to your bed now. Undress." She huffed and set a tray down.

"How did you cook so quickly?" He sneezed and his head hurt.

"Mopsy had the soup and tea ready for me." She touched his head "You have a fever. I will give you a pepperup potion."

"Absolutely no. I will not have smoke coming out of my ears for hours. I have to be at the Ministry later today."

Minerva sighed, "can you feed yourself?" Tom saw an opportunity then. He shook his head.

She fed him and then cleared the plates away. Tom waited for her to come back. "Are you not afraid of getting sick?"

"Poppy has us on strict pepperup potions." She said and sat by a chair.

"Minnie, don't be ridiculous, come to bed. I couldn't do anything. The mind is willing but the body would let you down." He said and coughed.

"Fine." She attempted to lay down with her clothes. "Minnie, you won't be comfortable in that."

Minerva then became a tabby cat. Tom smirked when she jumped to bed and burrowed next to him. "Change back. Mum left some clothes. You are taller but they will fit."

Minerva the cat sauntered away from the bed. Tom watched as she came back on a green nighty. His mum definitely did not look like that in that nighty.

"Come to bed." He patted the bed next to him.

She settled down. Tom nuzzled her neck, "It's Wednesday. Shouldn't you be teaching?"

"I asked for a leave. Bapsy made it seem as if you were about to die." She said and traced his hands over her middle.

He trailed them lower, "I will leave this bed, put your hand back where it was." She said sternly.

He kissed her neck, "yes professor."

He felt asleep with the feel of her next to him. He woke up in the middle of the night. "Go back to sleep."

"I can't. I slept the day away. I have to write to the ministry." He said and attempted to get up.

"Tom, they sent a message. They did not pass the law." She said slowly.

Tom sat up abruptly, "the absolute fuckers. I should have been there, cocksuckers the lot of them."

"Calm down. You'll think of a way Monday." She said and pushed back to bed.

"Monday? I am going there tomorrow." He muttered. He was absolutely incensed.

"No, you are on leave until Monday." She said and cuddled to him.

Tom sighed. "Fine, but I don't like any of this Minnie." He said but let her rub his back and lull him to sleep.

They spent the following days talking, sleeping, remembering when they were kids and doing absolutely nothing else. He loved it.

They were in bed that Sunday morning. Minerva put on some music. "Remind me, why are we not having sex? He asked her.

Minerva laughed, "because you were raised better and we both know that it would never work."

He frowned, "I'm too exhausted to argue with you."

"Tell me about that boy you loved." He said.

Minerva frowned, "I never told you about him. How do you know Tom?"

He looked at he with clear eyes, "your eyes when I came back. I figured something happened and it has to be a man. It had to be someone else also just now. You confirmed it."

Minerva frowned, "Well, he is a local farmer. His name is Dougal McGregor. He's married now and has a boy on the way. He is kind, charming and good."

Tom listened with jealousy and remained quiet, "He proposed and I realized that it would not happen." She finished, "I am quite over him."

Tom looked at her, "I would not have let you go."

Minerva smiled, "you are my dearest friend Tom but I have to be very clear. You and I will not happen. I need you to understand it. I know you are not dating, you have to. I will not change my mind."

He kissed her hands, "Minnie, you and I will grow old together. I assure you of that. You do not want to hear it. I know, but I see our future clear as day."

Minerva looked away, "We have to get up, breakfast awaits."

They ate and listened to more music until it was time for her to leave. He hated to see her go that Sunday night.

"Good bye Minnie. Thank you." He kissed her hands and then kissed her mouth. Minnie actually responded but then pushed him away.

"I'll see you during Easter break." She then pecked his lips and apparated away. All was not lost. Tom aimed to play a long game. He had nothing but patience for one Minerva McGonagall.