You and Me

(This chapter is named after the song from "Victor/Victoria" interpreted by Julie Andrews and Robert Preston. Those of you who know the movie will also notice that the last few lines are taken from that song as well.)

Again, this story is dedicated to Kayjay. Sweety, I really hope you like my idea of taking "our song" as base for this chapter! (Honey, I hope you noticed that I've made minor adjustments to the original story - taking your advice concerning Minerva and her being slightly out of character)

A few weeks later everyone was enjoying their summer holidays. Since no one thought they could force Harry to go back to the Dursleys over the summer and he didn't want to go to Grimmauld Place either he stayed with Ron and his family. Currently Hermione was with them, her parents being away on a hiking trip in Austria.

"Children, come down for dinner." Mrs Weasley's voice rang though the house.

"And wash your hands!"

Rolling his eyes Ron got up from his bed where he had been reading the newest book about his favourite quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons.

"Come on, let's go."

Harry and Hermione, having played a game of wizard chess on the floor, scrambled to their feet. Following Ron downstairs they nearly ran into him when he suddenly stopped in the middle of the staircase.

"Oh Ron, don't do that. What's wrong anyway?" Harry looked over Ron's shoulder and followed his gaze.

"Hello Professor." Harry smiled at Minerva who had come along for dinner tonight.

"Hello Mr. Potter. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley." She had a hard time trying to conceal her grin at Ron's face. His expression was rather priceless. It was quite obvious that he hadn't expected to find his transfiguration professor in his parents' kitchen in the middle of the summer holidays. Except...

"Oh ... don't tell me I've failed my OWL's." he groaned.

"What?" Minerva looked at him rather confused.

"I think Ron believes you've come here to tell him that he failed his OWL's." Hermione looked at Ron who just nodded.

"Ron, dear, Min ... Professor McGonagall came along because she's a member of the Order and I invited her for dinner. Don't be silly, dear." Molly Weasley shook her head but silently prayed that he had passed his OWL's nonetheless.

"Anyway, we have to tell you something." Mr Weasley who had just entered the kitchen went to Minerva and hugged her. She seemed to be a bit surprised at his behaviour but she was grateful for a friend like him.

"Okay, sit down everyone." Molly clapped her hands and people hurried towards the table to find a seat.

After everyone was sated Molly and Minerva levitated the dirty dishes to the sink where they were magically cleaned. Arthur cleared his throat.

"You know you mother and I received an owl a couple of days ago. What we didn't tell you is that we'll have to go to Egypt for a few weeks. And we can't take you with us, it would be too dangerous."

"Cool, we'll have the whole house to ourselves." Fred and George grinned at each other which earned them a glare from their mother.

"Most certainly not!" Molly stated in a threatening voice. The twins made a disappointed face but Molly could tell that they hadn't really expected to be left alone here.

"So where are we going then?" Ginny asked.

"You will go to Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall came to take you with her so we can go on with our preparations and leave as soon as possible." Arthur explained, looking at his wife. He knew that she didn't like the idea of Minerva taking over the responsibility for their children so soon after the so-called accident with the stunners. After all, the twins could be hell to handle, and even though Minerva had some first-hand experience with them Molly wanted her to recover and not to have to chase the twins around the castle.

The adults looked at the children, waiting for a reaction.

"Cool, then we'll have the whole castle to ourselves." Minerva rolled her eyes at Fred and George's obvious eagerness.

"Minerva, dear, you don't have to do this. I'm sure we can find other..." Molly looked at her friend.

"No, it's just fine. I know how to handle them." Minerva smiled at her and sent a glare in the direction of the twins who faked absolute horror, knowing that the professor was only joking.

"Good. And if I hear one word that you two do not behave yourselves..." Molly looked at her sons threateningly.

"Nah, we'll be good, mom." Fred promised.

Two hours later Minerva took the children and their luggage back to Hogwarts. She sighed inwardly. She knew that all the students had been worried when word had spread about her being attacked but nonetheless she wasn't so sure what to make of the twins' promise. But Albus would be here by tomorrow night and Severus was already here, somewhere in the castle.

Looking at her watch Minerva saw that it was already late so she decided it would be best for everyone to go to sleep.

"The password to your common room is hippogriff. I suggest that you go off to bed. It's already about midnight. Breakfast will be held tomorrow in the great hall at the usual time. I wish you a good night." With that Minerva nodded to the children and left for her own rooms.

After a couple of days Minerva and the children had found a routine for their days together. Ginny and Hermione obviously found her company quite enjoyable as they spent a lot of time with her. Harry and Ron were somehow torn between their wish to stay with the girls and the prospect of learning more nonsense from Fred and George who were out of sight for most of the day.

One sunny Saturday afternoon Minerva had taken all of the children for a stroll around the lake and now they had a picnic under a large tree. Everyone had fun, Minerva and Hermione talking about some transfiguration theories (it seemed as if Hermione seriously considered being an animagus) and Ginny and the boys playing Exploding Snap. Suddenly someone was laughing like mad. Minerva looked in the direction of the sound and paled. Seconds later she was on her feet, drawing her wand out. Hermione followed her gaze and gasped.

"What are you doing here, Dolores?" Minerva asked. She tried to appear calm but inside she was shaking. With what she wasn't quite sure.

"My, my, my. Look who's back." Dolores Umbridge called out in her high-pitched girlish voice, a mean glint in her toad-like eyes.

In the meantime the children had jumped to their feet as well. All had their hands moved to their wands, just in case they needed it.

"Leave, Dolores. You are not allowed here anymore." Silently Minerva prayed that her hands would stop shaking so she could hold her wand steady should it become necessary.

"Most certainly not, my dear. I came here to finish what I had to leave a month ago." Umbridge rolled her eyes madly.

"Think she's gone mad?" Ron asked Harry quietly.

"Seems so." Harry answered from the corner of his mouth, never taking his eyes off of Umbridge.

Suddenly everything seemed to happen at once. Umbridge drew her wand out, pointing it at Minerva.

"Crucio!" she screamed.

Somehow all members of Dumbledore's Army had anticipated something like this. Harry cast a quick shielding spell which reflected the unforgivable curse at Umbridge. The others threw a mixture of different disarming spells, a full body binding charm – and Ginny her famous Bat Bogey Hex. One of them had obviously tried to transfigure Umbridge into a toad which hadn't worked properly. When the glow of the spells subsided they could see Umbridge's body with a toad's head and very ugly pink blisters in her face. She had fallen on her back, her wand laying a few feed away from her. And around her was an orange glow which seemed to be emanating from her.

"Well, that's definitely an interesting effect." George said taking a step forwards to get a closer look.

"We should..." Hermione said but was interrupted by a small gasp. Only then they realized that their professor hadn't said a word about their – victory.

They turned around and gasped. The proud and strong Minerva McGonagall sat there, hands before her face and white as a ghost.

Hermione and Ginny rushed to her, stroking her back and trying to comfort her. The boys were unsure of how to proceed when they heard Hermione clear her throat.

"I think you should go and get someone. And collect her wand before you leave. We don't want any unpleasant surprises." For a moment her eyes locked with Harry's and he could see how worried she was.

"Hurry!" Ginny yelled at them. Taking the clue Ron grabbed Umbridge's wand and took after the others who were running towards the castle.

Meanwhile Ginny and Hermione looked down at Minerva.

"It's okay, professor. It's over." Hermione seemed to have figured out what was wrong with Minerva. She cradled her in her arms, whispering comforting words.

"I ... I'm sorry." Minerva whispered. She didn't want her students to see her like this. But at the moment she couldn't help but feel terrified. If the kids hadn't reacted that fast and that well ... She'd rather not think about that possibility.

"Don't be. You're always there for us. So just let us be there for you once." Smiling at her Ginny gave her a glass of water.

"Minerva!" Albus came running down all the way from the castle, his robes and his beard flying.

"Minerva, darling, are you alright?" When he reached her he flung his arms around her and held her close. He didn't seem to want to let go of her ever again. And he was quite oblivious to the fact that the students were watching them quite amazed.

"Hem, hem." Everyone jumped but gave a sigh of relief when they saw that it was only Professor Snape.

"Don't do that, Severus." Albus snapped.

"My apologies, headmaster. I merely wanted to suggest that we should move that ... woman to the hospital wing. It seems she was hit by quite an interesting mixture of spells. It would be wiser to sort everything out before turning her over to ministry officials." Snape looked at the children with a raised eyebrow which usually indicated that he was quite annoyed with something. But today there was a sparkle in his eyes showing them that he was rather satisfied with their actions.

"Yes, sure. You're right, Severus. Could you please take care of that?" Albus didn't take his eyes off of Minerva. She looked so frightened.

"Of course, headmaster. I suggest you come with me to explain Madam Pomfrey what hexes you used." Snape looked at Harry and his friends and motioned them to move on while he took out his wand and levitated the still stunned Dolores Umbridge.

"Minerva, I'm so sorry I wasn't here. I shouldn't have let you alone." Albus had tears in his eyes when he carefully stroked her cheek.

"Don't be silly. I just didn't expect her to have such in impact on me. And I was really lucky the students were here. If they hadn't reacted so fast ..." Minerva's voice trailed of. She shuddered at the mere thought of what could have happened. Albus tightened his hold on her.

"I know. But you must not forget that it was quite a distressing experience. What this woman did to you only weeks ago... I think it will take some time to get over that." Kissing the top of her head Albus settled more comfortably. But there was one thing he still wanted to know.

"What was she about to do when the children defended you?" he asked softly.

"The ... she ... "Minerva took a deep breath.

"The cruciatus curse." She looked at him and saw him pale.

"For Merlin's sake, she's really mad." Albus closed his eyes thanking whatever deity was listening for their students' quick reaction.

"Come on, darling. I think we should go and see Poppy as well. She can give you a calming potion." Albus got to his feet and helped Minerva up, never letting go of her hand.

When there was no protest of some sort he began to worry about his love. Usually she was so stubborn she wouldn't admit that she needed some medication. But he had trust in Poppy's abilities. She would know a way to sort this out.

Later that evening Albus talked to Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, George and Fred and thanked them for their good reaction.

"Hey, we're Dumbledore's Army, after all." Fred grinned at his former headmaster. Albus had to smile at this statement.

"Yes. Right. But you really did a great job." Albus' eyes had their usual twinkle back when he thought about Poppy's reaction to Umbridge's ... accident. Even though she hadn't been able to hide her grin she was shocked to find that the former Hogwarts High Inquisitor had tried to use an unforgivable curse on Minerva. So she had suggested leaving Umbridge like this but after Minerva's intervention she admitted that there wasn't anything she could do about it. This was definitely a case for St. Mungo's where the healers had better facilities to deal with so much spell damage.

So Albus had informed Fudge about the events of the day, Umbridge had been transferred to the wizard hospital, Minerva had gotten her calming draught and the children had celebrated their victory.

"But I really have to ask you not to talk about these events at school." Albus looked at each of them. Even though he knew that rumours here flew faster than the best racing brooms he didn't want to encourage other students to found their own armies.

"We promise, Professor Dumbledore." Harry said.

Albus nodded. Waving his wand and conjuring a rather hugh amount of butterbeer for their celebration he smiled at them and left.

When he came to Minerva's rooms he gave the password and opened the door quietly, expecting to find her fast asleep.

"There you are." Minerva smiled when she saw him. She had waited for him for quite some time now. After taking the calming draught she had been a bit sleepy but sleep just wouldn't come to her. So she had decided to take a nice long bubble bath and wait for her lover.

Now she was sitting on the couch, her legs tucked under her, reading one of her favourite books.

"Sorry, my love. I just wanted to thank the children. Harry seems to be a good teacher indeed. They've learned quite a lot." Smiling Albus sat down beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. She snuggled into his warm embrace and sighed.

"Yes, they clearly have." She closed her eyes for a moment.

"I really think she would have killed me if she had had the chance." Minerva said quietly. She had seen it in Umbridge's eyes. Behind the madness there had been cold fury – a very dangerous mixture.

"I would have lost you now that I've just found love with you." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Don't think about it, darling. Just remember, I'll always be there if you need me. From now on, I'll protect you. And come what may, you and me will stay together, year after year, there'll always be you and me." Albus kissed her softly on the lips. They sat like that finding comfort in each other until they finally fell asleep.