Disclaimer: J K Rowling owns all but the characters that I have invented and the plot is mine.
A/N: After recovering from Antonia's death, Love ya Tanasia, I finally sat down to write this chapter. I hope you like it. In the next few chapters a lot of things are going to happen and a lot of lives will be changed and not always for the better…..
When Evil Returns
Chapter Seven: Love, Butterflies and Kittens
It was right after the New Year when Vincent and Lavender finally got around to going out on their date. At first they thought of going to a restaurant but when Lavender found out that Vincent was an excellent cook she asked if he would cook for her. When he said yes she was delighted.
"What kind of food is your favorite?" he asked a couple of days before they were due to have their date. "I love Italian but anything would be fine, I like most all food," she had replied.
"Italian it is then," he said smiling.
The night of their date she met him at Malfoy manor and they apperated from there to his apartment in London.
As he prepared dinner she was in awe, she never realized how many muggle things he knew how to do.
"I think that doing things the muggle way interesting," she said, "I don't think I could ever learn to be a muggle."
"It's not that hard," he said smiling. "I grew up living as a muggle. Would you care for a glass of wine?"
"Yes please," she said and then, "Tell me about when you were little."
"Well, I was born on an Indian reservation in the mid-west of the United States in 1962. My Mother was an English witch that went to Hogwarts and one summer she came to visit my aunt who also went to Hogwarts. It was that summer she fell in love with my father. The next summer when she had graduated from Hogwarts she came back and stayed. They were married by the end of summer and I was born the following spring. On reservations the living conditions aren't the best and when my father became ill the shaman forbid her to use any magic to help him. He died when I was three. Heartbroken and sick herself, she packed us up and came back to England. Once she returned home her health improved although she was still sad over my father's death. Eventually she would snap out of the depression and found love again and had three more children. When I was eleven, I received my letter for Hogwarts. I was sorted into Gryffindor a year behind Sirius and the marauders. They were something else. Their little band used to get away with murder, we were all jealous of the friendship that the four of them shared. And to think that Peter betrayed them all like that. Unbelievable," he said as he prepared dinner. "Would you care for another glass of wine?"
She held out her glass, he filled it and they sat down to eat. During dinner they talked of some of the tricks that Sirius and the marauders pulled off. By the time dinner was over, Lavender was feeling very relaxed from the wine. They moved into the living room with more wine and sat on the couch.
"Okay, tell me more of your life," she said as she pulled her shoes off and sat on the couch with her feet up under her.
"Okay where was I? Oh yes, Right after I graduated I went to visit Lucius Malfoy, whom I thought was my friend. Little did I know he had brought me there to put me under the imperious curse. Once under the spell I became a Death Eater. They were evil," he said with a far away look on his face, "When Voldemort fell at the hands of Harry, the spell was broken and I fled back to the States, back to the reservation."
"How sad," she said, "Did you ever marry?"
Looking rather sad he said, "Yes, I was married once."
"What happened? Divorce?"
"No, she was murdered along with my son."
Gasping she said, "Oh Vincent, I am so sorry. You don't have to talk about it anymore if it is too painful."
"No, I'm fine. It happened a long time ago. Singing Sunshine, my wife's Indian name, had taken my son, Little Eagle to get his birthday present at the small mall in town. They went wearing their Indian clothes and when they were walking out if the mall, a man who was drunk and hated Indians saw them," Vincent took a deep breath, closed his eyes and continued, "he ran them down with his truck in the parking lot. They died instantly. Little Eagle would have been 25 this year."
"Oh Vincent, I am so terribly sorry, I never should have asked," she said a tear ran down her cheek.
"It's okay really," he said as he gently wiped away her tear. When his fingers touched her face she felt warmth course through her whole body. She smiled and held out her glass for him to fill.
"Enough about me, what was your life like growing up?" he said smiling.
After taking a long sip if wine she said, "I was born in 1980 here in London. I was in the same year as Harry and Hermione. Half of Malfoy manor was in that graduating class, Ginny was a year behind us. I was also in Gryffindor. After graduation I met a man, very handsome and he looked a lot like Lucius. He was so charming and before I knew it I was in bed with him although I don't remember a lot because I found out later that I was under the imperious spell. I was with him just the one time and my sweet Trevor was the result. I have never been with anyone since. Pretty bad when you are only wanted when you are under a spell, you see he doesn't even like woman, he just wanted an heir," said Lavender.
Feeling a little giddy from the wine she sighed as another tear ran down her face. Vincent took her glass and placed it on the table as he reached up to wipe away her tears. Scooting closer to her he gently took her chin in his hand and said, "I want you Lavender."
Suddenly she found his lips on hers in a tender kiss. She was immediately sober. No one had ever kissed her like this. She melted into his arms. When he pulled away he said, "I truly want you, if you want me, but not tonight. When we get together if you want that too, I want you to be certain that it is because I really like you and not because of the wine."
Smiling at him she said, "Thank you Vincent. And believe me I want you too. If it isn't going to happen tonight will you at least hold me for a little while?"
"That I would gladly do," he said as he leaned back against the arm of the couch pulling her into his arms. As they lay there in silence he stroked her hair reveling in its silky softness. Before too long he noticed her even breathing and knew she was asleep. He then got up from the couch, lifting her into his arms and carried her to his bed, lying her down gently. He then covered her with a blanket, kissed her forehead, turned and walked out of the room grabbing a blanket from the end of his bed as he made his way back to the couch.
The next morning Lavender was awakened by the smell of bacon and coffee. At first she didn't know where she was and then panic took over. Oh no did I sleep with him? Thinking hard she remembered that he said he wanted her but not while she had too much to drink. She slowly made her way out of bed and into the bathroom. Gods dear you look a mess, she thought as she conjured up a brush and toothbrush. Once she looked presentable she made her way into the kitchen to find Vincent standing at the stove placing bacon and eggs on plates for them. When he placed them on the table he noticed her entrance and said, "Good morning Little Flower."
She smiled at her newly given name. "Little Flower? I think I like that name. Trevor will be impressed."
"How are you feeling this morning?"
"I feel a little silly for one thing. I guess I drank too much last night," she said looking sad.
"Maybe a little, but everyone needs to now and then. Did you sleep well?"
"Like a baby. Where did you sleep?" she asked.
"I slept on the couch. Would you care for some coffee?" he asked.
"Oh yes please. I'm sorry you had to sleep in the couch, you should have left me there," she said, "I didn't want to keep you out of your bed."
As he handed her the cup his hand touched hers and a shock of warmth ran up his arm right to his heart. She smiled as pink became visible on her cheeks. As she sat the cup down she reached up and started to massage a sore spot on her neck. "I must have slept too long in the same position."
"Here let me take care of that for you," he said as he gently slid his hands on her neck and shoulders and started to rub. She was in absolute heaven. She had to grab the counter to keep from melting to the floor. Purring she said, "Merlin's beard Vincent, where did you learn how to do that?"
"Oh I don't know. Just picked it up somewhere. I have many other skills too," he said with an evil grin. She then stood, turned and touched his clean-shaven face.
"You told me last night that you wanted me. Was I drunk or did you actually say that?" she asked boldly.
Stepping closer he took her hand from his face kissed the palm and said, "I haven't wanted a woman so much in years." Kissing her wrist he then said, "You said you also wanted me, do you remember that?"
"Yes," she said breathlessly as she stepped even closer. It was like the world melted when his lips lowered to hers. Her knees went weak as he held her close. As he looked into her eyes she said blushing, "Be gentle because I don't ever remember doing this before."
"Oh believe me, you will remember this time," he said as he scooped her up in his arms and took her into his bedroom.
Hours later it was Lavender that woke first. Looking at Vincent her eyes started to mist over.
"You don't regret what just happened do you?" asked Vincent startling her because she didn't realize he was awake.
"Which time?" she asked blushing, "No I don't regret anything. Do you?" she asked a little fearful.
"Not one bit. As a matter of fact I was hoping that you might feel up to a little more," he said.
Looking disappointed she said, "What only a little?"
With a big smile he said, "Have I finally found someone to match my libido?"
"Well my love I do have quite a bit of catching up to do don't I?"
"Well then I say let's get started," as he said smiling like a little boy in a candy shop.
~~*~~
Over the weeks that proceeded Christmas, Minerva on more that one occasion received peace roses that would suddenly appear in her office. Again there was no card. She was so happy about all the wonderful flowers that when she received an owl from Shane she nearly panicked. He stated that he was coming for a visit to Hogwarts and wanted to know if they could go out on another date. Noticing her dismay, because she had opened her letter at the teacher's table during breakfast, Severus asked, "Minerva, what is wrong?"
"Oh Severus, Shane is coming to visit and wants to go on another date and I believe he has been sending me flowers."
"And the problem with this is? You care for him don't you Minerva?" he asked getting a little nervous because in actuality if was Kyleigh and himself that had been sending the flowers hoping to give the two a little shove.
"Oh yes, I care a great deal for Shane, always have," she said with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"So then what is the problem?"
"I don't know, it has just been a very long time since I have felt feelings like this," she said blushing.
"It's like riding a horse once you learn…."
"Severus, I don't know how to ride a horse," she said exasperatedly.
He gave a small chuckle and then said and he gently took her hand to calm her nerves, "Minerva, it's like when you learn to apparate, if you don't do it for a while that doesn't mean you forget how. Let nature take its course. You will be just fine."
"Do you really think so?"
"I know so. When is he coming?"
"On Valentine's day," she said.
"Oh really? That sounds very promising," he said, as he was really thinking, Oh this is too perfect. I can't wait to tell Kyleigh.
~~*~~
Over the next few weeks Minerva's nerves were on edge even though Severus and Kyleigh were constantly reassuring her that things would be just fine.
As for the relationship between Vincent and Lavender theirs had accelerated into a proposal of marriage and they were to be wed at Malfoy manor at the end of the school term. They were hopelessly in love and it was very apparent that Trevor was ecstatic.
Valentine's day dawned beautiful. It was slightly cold but there was no snow. As Minerva sat at breakfast she noticed that Severus and Kyleigh hadn't come in yet and she really wanted to talk to Severus. After a few minutes Severus came strolling in with Kyleigh, laughing at something that she said. When he saw Minerva he looked a little concerned.
"Minerva, what's wrong?"
"He will be here any moment," she said as she looked to the door. "How do I….." but her question froze in her throat as she saw him enter the hall.
Following her gaze Severus smiled, "Close your mouth Minerva, you look like a fish."
Shutting her mouth she stood and walked slowly over to where he stood talking to Remus. As she approached he smiled. "Good morning Minnie."
"Good morning Shane. How have you been?"
"Wonderful and yourself?"
"Beautiful," she said smiling.
"Yes you are," he said noticing her blush.
"Would you care for some breakfast?"
"No thanks, I ate a little while ago. Is Albus here yet?" Shane asked.
"No, he owled and said that he would meet us in my office at 9:00. It is a quarter 'til now, should we go?" she asked.
"Yes, we can discuss where you want to go for dinner."
"That would be lovely," she said as they left the hall not noticing the sly grins that Severus and Kyleigh shared.
When they reached her office, Shane held the door open for her. As she stepped in she gasped. The room was full of beautifully colored butterflies and there were peace roses everywhere.
"Oh Shane, you shouldn't have," she said as turned smiling at him.
Looking puzzled he said, "I wish I had."
"It wasn't you?" she said as sadness filled her face.
"No but I wish that I had. I wonder who did?"
With a frown and narrowing her eyes it hit Minerva, "I am going kill those two," she said.
"Who?"
"Severus and Kyleigh. I suppose you didn't send all the other flowers and the beautiful paperweight at Christmas?"
"No, but again, I wish I had. And don't be to mad at them, they apparently care for you a great deal and want you to find love."
With this she boldly asked, "And have I found love?"
"Only if you want it," he said as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly.
She melted into his arms and they didn't break away until they heard a chuckle coming from the door.
"Am I interrupting anything?" said an amused Albus.
"Yes, but you are forgiven," said Shane as he whispered to Minerva, "We will continue this later tonight."
Feeling giddy and breathless Minerva sat at her desk and motioned for Albus and Shane to also sit.
"So what has Lucius been up to lately?" she asked.
"Well he is now in hiding we believe at Durmstrang. After the bombing that killed Lavender's parents and the beating that he gave Darci Codrington he fled. We don't feel that he is going to show his face for a little while but we do have him being watched just incase," said Shane.
"But I thought you said he was in hiding, how do you know he is at Durmsrang?"
"We have a man on the inside. It is crucial that he remain unknown so we can keep him safe. You understand don't you Minnie?"
"Well of course I do. I just wonder how long he will stay away?"
"We just don't know," said Albus. "By the way, how is Professor Codrington getting along? Has she stopped giving out all those detentions?"
"Yes however she is giving so much homework we are getting a lot of disgruntled students. Of course there has been only minor retaliation."
"Really, what retaliation?" asked Albus smiling.
"Little things like chalk disappearing, books relocating themselves, papers suddenly being thrown about the room, things that Peeves would do. At least he is the one being blamed."
"You don't think it is him?" asked Albus with a smile.
Looking at him over the rim of the glasses she just put on she said. "Now Albus you know that Peeves is the type to take credit for any work he does. With these pranks no one has taken credit," she said.
"What are you going to do about her?" asked Albus.
"I have already spoken to the person I want to replace her next term and he has agreed," she said with a smile.
"I think that you have chosen very wisely Minerva. When are you going to inform her?"
"I think that I will wait until after the end of the year feast else she may want to take revenge out on some of the students."
"Very good, well I am off. You too have a wonderful evening and Shane, I will talk to you soon."
~~*~~
It had been decided that they would dine in Minerva's apartments at Hogwarts that evening. After they had a lovely dinner they went for a walk in the indoor garden that Draco and Hermione had been married. Earlier that day they had released all the wonderfully colored butterflies that adorned Minerva's office into this garden making it even more beautiful.
"How long are you going to be able to stay this time?" asked Minerva as she reached out and took his hand.
"Unfortunately I have to leave early in the morning. Albus wants me to track down Jareth. He has been spotted in Hogsmeade," said Shane as he looked down at his feet. "I was hoping to be able to stay for a while longer. I have missed you so much Minnie. I only wish that I had made different choices in my life."
"What choices?" she asked.
"I wish that I hadn't gone to work for the ministry but had followed my heart instead."
"And what did your heart want you to do?" asked Minerva as she was finding it very hard to breathe.
"I wish that I had told you how very much I loved you and that I wanted nothing more than for you to be my wife," he said as he looked deep into her eyes.
As a tear rolled down Minerva's face she said with a very shaky voice, "If you had told me that and asked me that I would have told you that I felt the same way and would have answered yes to the question."
"Yes, but now the question is would you still answer the same way?" he said hopefully.
"The real question is are you asking?" she said breathlessly.
"Yes I am. Minerva I feel nothing but complete love for you and I know this is sudden but I would love for you to become my wife."
With tears flowing steady now she took his large face in her small hands and said, "I would be most honored to be your wife," and she kissed him.
When he finally pulled away he said, "I am so sorry it took so long for me to ask you."
"Some things are worth the wait," she said as she led him back into the castle back up to her rooms.
~~*~~
The next morning when Minerva awakened she was alone. She smiled and stretched like a cat with the biggest grin possible spread across her entire face. She was in love and was going to marry the man she had loved for over 30 years. All was right with the world. After she rose and got dressed she went out into her office to find an enormous basket sitting on her desk. The basket was adorned with a big honey colored bow and accented with bluebells and heather. When she looked closer there was a card that read,
This is from me,
I love you with all my heart.
Shane
As she opened the lid she was greeted by four of the most beautiful kittens she had ever seen and around each of their necks was a collar with their names on small tags. First out of the basket was a fluffy orange and white whose name was Marmalade. Next came a gray and white by the name of Smokey. Next a tabby that looked a lot like a transformed Minerva and her name was Tabitha and last was a black kitten with four white paws named Socks. Minerva was overwhelmed. He remembered that she had always loved cats. "I love you Shane," she said out loud as she snuggled each kitten in turn.
~~*~~
As the weather turned slightly warmer and March rolled in, Darci was back to her old tricks except this time she was harassing everyone except Kyleigh and Jamie. She had been so mean to the Weasley triplets that George and Caitlin had come to the school to discuss their behavior.
"What do you mean they have no manners?" asked Caitlin.
"Just what I said," replied Darci, "They are unruly and are a disgrace to the Gryffindors. I will not tolerate the way they blatantly lie to me and they will serve all the detentions that have been given. Also if I have one more bit of problem with then this term they will be suspended."
George raised his eyebrows looking at her as if she were mad.
"Let me let you in on a little secret. Our triplets don't misbehave unless provoked. I have heard about how you harass students in your class. Since you can't harass Kyleigh and Jamie anymore you must think it all right to harass our daughters. Well let me tell you something right now, you will stop harassing them this instant or you will be very sorry. I have a mind to go to Minerva and have you thrown out on your ear. If I hear one more time that you are treating any of the students unfairly you will be gone. Do I make myself clear?" said George in a voice that in all their years of marriage Caitlin had never heard him use.
"Well I guess we will just see who is thrown out of where."
~~*~~
The next week was the spring holidays. The students stayed at the school because they were given so much homework by Darci that they all needed the library and there was none finer that the one at Hogwarts. This infuriated Fred and George so they knew it was time to take action. This year at the beginning of the holidays there was to be a spring feast. Each teacher had been given a box of cream puffs from George and Caitlin's restaurant as a thank you for all the wonderful work that they had done over the school year. Each box had a different color ribbon. Minerva had gold, Severus had black, Remus had blue and so on. All the teachers knew that the one with the yellow ribbon was for Darci. As the teachers all partook of their wonderful cream puffs it was Darci who ate hers first. They were her favorite. After a few short minutes the room started to buzz and then laughter broke throughout the hall. Darci had been the one to get the Weasleys canary creams. She was furious as she sat molting causing feathers to fly about the room. As she got up from the table and ran from the room she shouted to all the Weasleys "Your family will pay for this desperately." And she was gone.
When classes resumed Darci was no longer one of the professors. After her outburst and threat to the Weasleys, Minerva hunted her down in her chambers and told her that she needed to pack her things because she was no longer welcome at Hogwarts.
"And who will take over my classes?"
"I will be taking them until a suitable replacement can be found."
~~*~~
A few weeks later Kyleigh was sitting in transfiguration class when suddenly she went rigid. As she sat there staring, Professor McGonagall waited until the vision had passed before speaking to Kyleigh. When Kyleigh came to see was sobbing, "We have to get them out."
Professor McGonagall dismissed the class and then asked her what she saw.
Taking a deep breath Kyeigh said,
"At midnight tonight there is going to be an explosion," she said sobbing. Swallowing hard she continued. "Lucius is going to blow up The English Yankee, Weasley's Joke Emporium and Longbottom's Apothecary. He wants to wait until he is sure everyone is asleep so there will be no way they will get out."
"Merlin's beard who was he talking too?" she asked.
"He was telling this to Professor Codrington but he told her that she would have a front row seat. He was beating her. She looked so bad. Oh Professor, what are we going to do?"
"Jamie go get Professors Lupin and Snape, tell them to meet me in my office NOW!" turning to Kyleigh she said, "Let's go, we have a lot to do in a very short time."
When Jamie, Remus and Severus arrived at Minerva's office she and Kyleigh were already there speaking to George Weasley in the fire.