Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter things that you might recognize. I hate these things, I really do.

A/N: Okay, my second MM/AD story. I hope you enjoy!

Bring On The Rain

Ch. 1: Attack

Cheers erupted from the Great Hall. It was the start of the summer holidays and this was to be their last dinner here at Hogwarts. For those in their seventh year, they would never see the halls of this grand school again. But for the teachers and the other students, they knew it was only for three months.

Above all the rucus and hallabaloo of the students, Albus Dumbledore grinned broadly, that twinkle forever in his eye. His students were as happy as ever, and that made him proud. Very proud, indeed. But he didn't take all the credit to the growth of the school. In fact, he only acknowledged a small percentage of the credit. He gave most of the credit to his wonderful staff.

Severus Snape, the potions master as well as head of Slytherin house, had successfully quickened productivity and punctuality in his student's work, even ifit was through fear. True, Albus didn't always agree with Severus' meathods, but whatever helped bring up the students productivity rate was good. Poppy Pomphrey, the school mediwitch, had discovered a faster, more efficiant, way of growing and mending bones. That was especially useful because more and more students were breaking bones, much to Albus' dismay.

But he attributed the greater portion of the success of Hogwarts to his deputy headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. As head of Griffindor house, Transfiguration teacher, and basically his all second in command, Minerva had managed to raise the bar of learning to a whole new level completely. It was because of her that the school had grown by leaps and bounds. Her organization and working skills had always set new standards and always gave him comfort to know the school was in capable hands should he be forced to leace once again. But that hadn't happened for two years.

Yes, Minerva was most definately his most trusted advisor and dearest friend. Even though Minerva was, at one point, his student, they had kept in touch until he had become Headmaster and offered her the position of Transfiguration teacher.

At first, he just enjoyed her company during meals and meetings with the other professors. Then, as they became even better friends, they would take pleasure in each others company in a friendly game of wizards chess every now and then. It soon got to where they held nightly wisits with each other, alternating between his chambers and hers. They would touch on subjects that included a variety of poetry, literature, art, science, modern philosopy, and sometimes even romance.

"What about you, Minerva?" he had once asked her while they were sitting in his office playing chess. "Why haven't you been married yet?"

"When have I ever found time for the opposite sex, Albus?" she smiled. "I have been so busy with my work lately, I'm surprised I can sleep at night. Marraige is the last thing on my mind right now."

This had caused Albus to think. Was it lack of time that had kept this lovely woman to not date or marry? Or could it be that there was a lack of interest, or perhaps, even fear? Surely, it could not be for lack of suiters. For even though Minerva McGonagall was stern and always guarded her heart, she did attract many intereseted glances.

"And what of yourself, Albus?" she had asked. "Why have you managed to lead a single life all these years?"

"Oh, I don't know," he muttered, shrugging. "I suppose I just haven't found anyone who can hold an intellectural conversation while making me laugh at the same time." Like you, he thought.

And ever since that night, his love for her grew. At first, he quickly dismissed his feelings as merely morbid fascination. She was, after all, the only female he could speak to without worrying he'd offend her. But soon, her sharp mind and great sense of humor had captured his heart. And so it had been for the past thirty years, though he didn't dare tell her. He did not wish to ruin the gradual friendship and trust that they had acquired over the past forty years. It was very fragile, yet very precious to him.

And as he sat at the table, Minerva to his right, he wondered for the millionth time since he hell for her if he was doing the right thing by keeping his feelings for her a secret. But every time he thought of telling her how he felt, his mouth would dry up completely while his palms, on the other hand, would become sweaty and scratchy. Thus, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

"What do you think, Albus?" It was only then that he noticed she was talking to him.

"I'm sorry, what was the question?" he asked, turning to her.

"I asked what you thought of Mr. Potter's gruaduation this year?" repeated Minerva.

"Oh, yes, Mr. Potter," said Albus, clearing his throat. "Well, it is certainly a relief, I must say. For no matter how much I've enjoyed watching the youth grow from a small, eleven year old boy into a grand young man, it will be nice to see him start a new life in the world as a fine wizard. Who knows? Perhaps he shall take my place, someday, as the most powerful wizard in our world!" A playful smile spread over Minerva's face.

"Sure, Albus," she said. "Maybe after your death, he will." Albus smiled. It often amazed him how much faith she had in him.

The remainder of their dinner was spent in lively conversation with the other professors. Yet, even though he was very interested in his conversation with Hagrid about the new creatures he wanted to introduce to the students next year, his mind wondered elsewhere. Finally, he decided that he would tell Minerva that night how he felt for her.

But it would prove to be even harder than he thought. No, it wasn't lack of courage that forced him to hold back his admittancce. Just as he was about to dismiss the school for the three months fo summer holidays, the doors burst open and in stormed dozens of death eaters. They soared over the now frightened students, all of whom ducked under tables and dove behind anything they could find. Some of the students who were close enough tried to race for the big double doors. But they stopped dead in their tracks when they say a solitary figure standing in front of the now closed doors.

He was at least six feet tall, possibly more. The small patch of hair that he did have was a nice shade of black, which went nicely with his eyes, which were as red as blood. They were fixed intently straight ahead at Albus, an evil smile on his face.

"Albus," he hissed.

"Voldemort," said Albus, standing up. He never broke eye contact. The students who had stopped right in front of him began to back away slowly, not wanting to be harmed.

"My, it has been a long time," Voldemort drawled. "I can see time has changed us both."

"What exactly is it that you want?" asked Albus, eager to get this evil wizare to leave the school.

"Come, come, Albus. Can't we just be friends? Must I want something to visit?" Voldemort took a few steps forward, but Albus pulled out his wand and pointed it at his opponant.

"Don't come any closer," he ordered, ignoring the bursts of screams that erupted fro several of the students and even a few of the teachers.

"Albus," whispered Minerva, standing up and touching the arm that was holding his wand. "Do you think this wise, to provoke an unwanted attack?"

"If I don't prepare myself now, I might regret it later," Albus replied out of the corner of his mourth.

"I sure hope you know what you are doing," Minerva sighed, stepping back.

"Ah, Minerva," sneered Voldemort, a hint of laughter in his voice. "It has been so long. I have not seen you since our own graduation from this place." He stepped closer, allowing several students to open the double doors of the Great Hall and make their hasty escape.

"Yes, well, I wish I could say I'm glad to see you again," Minerva shot. "But you know I don't take to telling lies." She glared her infamous Scottish death glare, though it didn't faze him any.

"Yes, yes. Same old, strict, straight-laced, kiss up that I've come to know." A smiled now occupied the entire bottom half of his face, like a mask. By now, the Great Hall had nearly been empty because students grew bolder as they noticed the death eaters weren't attacking anyone, possibly because of Voldemort. They all headed through the doors and out the huge front door. They didn't bother to rescue anything they had in their rooms, for they knew that their bags and things were sent ahead to their houses.

Now all that was left in the Great Hall was the staff and three students, affectionately referred to as the Goldent Trio, who hid under the Gryffindor table. Ron Weasly and Harry Potter were all set to leave, but Hermione Granger forced them to stay in case the teachers needed any help.

"Cut to the chase, would you, and tell me what you want?" snapped Albus, growing rather irritated.

"It's not 'what' I want but rather 'who'," sneered Voldemort.

"Yer not takin' Dumbldore," bellowed Hagrid, jumping up and climbing over the table.

"Hagrid!" called Dumbledore warningly.

"Get back here, you big oaf," spat Severus. "Do you want to get yourself killed?" But it was too late.

"Potrificus Totallous!" hissed Voldemort when Hagrid continued to walk towards him. Hagrid soon fell to the ground, stiff as a board and heavy as stone.

"Rictasempra!" shouted Albus. He sent Voldemort through the air and up against a wall. He fell to the ground.

"Oh, Hagrid," squeaked Hermione as she ran to his side, Harry and Ron right behind her.

"Children, get out of here!" Severus shouted. He attempted to run to their aid by climbing over the table as Hagrid had done. Unfortunately, he slipped on some fruit he had on his plate, falling flat on his back. "Ouch!" he said.

It was then Minerva's turn to attempt a rescue, but by this time, Voldemort had shakily gotten back on his feet and sent a spell her way. He was able to do this even without his wand, which had fallen out of his hand as he flew back.

"Racindo!" Voldemort exclaimed, holding his hands up. This caused Minerva to stay glued to the spot. She could move her upper body, but not her feet. Before she could counter his attack, he quickly accioed every wand in the room.

"Voldemort, I want you to leave this school!" commaned Albus. "We have had enough of this child's play!"

"You're right, Albus," Voldemort sneered, twirling the headmasters wand in his hand. "This is child's play. I see no need to bother you further, so I shall just take what I came for and disappear!" Without another word, Voldemort turned on his heel and snapped his fingers. The death eaters flew around the room, creating a whirlwind. And as they began to disapear through the door, two flew down, removed the curse from Minerva, grabbed her by each arm before she had the chance to get away, and flew her thorough the double doors.

"Albuuuuuuuuusss!" she cried as she frantically tried to free herself from their grasps.

"Minerva!" he cried, running as quickly as he could after them. But the double doors closed before he could run through them and the Dark Lord stood in front of it, his own wand raised.

"Back off, old man," he growled. "Back off before this school loses another headmaster." He smiled deishly one last time before he waved his hand and disappeared, the other wands dropping to the ground.