-No matter how you push me away
-I've known right from the start
-That you're the only one for me
-The Sovereign of my Heart
Anon
CHAPTER TWO: THE BEGINNINGS OF A TRAGEDY
A few weeks had passed since Remus's return and things were beginning to get hectic around the castle, in preparation for the new term. Professor McGonagall was hurrying along the corridor her arms full of books and papers (Surprise, surprise), no matter how hard she tried work just seemed to pile up on her. Muttering mutinously, she practically ran down the corridor and smack bang into something solid. Books flew into the air and Minerva fell backwards onto the floor ' Ugh this seems to be happening A LOT to me lately' she thought. "HEY! watch...... Oh it's you Professor McGonagall" the voice was cold, but easily recognizable. "Hello Mr Malfoy" said Minerva stiffly, gathering her books wanting to get away as fast as possible. She looked up at him, standing there tall and forbidding and currently wearing an slightly evil smile. He looked as if he'd been expecting her.
"Here Professor let me help you" said Lucius, an odd something in his voice Minerva didn't like. "No thank you Mr Malfoy, I believe I can manage" she replied curtly still wanting to get away. Minerva couldn't bring herself to trust Lucius Malfoy and to be perfectly honest he scared her slightly. Though not without reason, Lucius knew how to manipulate and destroy people and that she didn't like. Her answer however did not deter Lucius in the slightest "No, No I insist" he said grabbing the Professor by the arm and dragging her up from the floor. Minerva winced, his grip was painfully strong and she struggled trying to break free but couldn't. Lucius looked amused at her struggle and pulled her close to him. Minerva tried to pull away but couldn't he had a firm grip on her. Lucius's other arm went around her waist and whispered something under his breath, his hand then ran over her backside and remained there
Minerva felt a cold chill pass through her body and pulled away instantly breaking Lucius's grip, she cried out slightly as his nails cut into her skin. Lucius looked surprised as the woman fell to the floor, clutching her arm which had begun to bleed. He bent over Minerva and whispered "Better stay quiet Minerva...... but then again who would believe you?" Minerva looked up her face shocked and her eyes fearful. Mr Malfoy smirked an evil glint in his eye "Goodbye Professor" he said and swept down the corridor in search of the headmaster, leaving Minerva in stuuned horro on the floor. She had no idea what had just happened to her, but it was definately an experience she didn't want repeating.
As Lucius walked down the corridor he laughed inwardly, he had the Professor in his grasp and he could now press his advantage. It really had been a genius plan- Get to Dumbledore through one of the few people he had ever considered his family. He laughed again, this time out loud, it really had been to funny to see the fear on Minerva McGonagall's face. That snotty, self confidence gone, leaving behind the frightened, insecure woman she really was behind. Lucius smiled a smug, vicious smile all he had to do now was wait.....
Minerva sat on the floor a moment too shocked to speak. Her hand shaking as she reached out for her books and papers. Minerva valiantly tried to regain her revire, but currently it was unreachable. She stood and examined herself, physically she was fine but inside something felt wrong, terribly wrong. When Lucius had grabbed her a terrible cold had filled her, not fear or anger exactly but something unnatural that felt like them. It had prevented her from lashing out or screaming and that puzzled her. Pushing these horrid thoughts aside she headed toward the staff room, and a piece of normality.
Entering the staff room, Minerva closed the door silently behind and rested her head on it. Two tears leaked down her face and she muttered harshly at them for daring to appear. "Minerva.... what's wrong?" came an uncertain voice from behind her. Minerva's head flew up, she had been sure the room was empty but apparently she had been wrong. "Minerva.." came the voice again and a figure approached her from behind "Minerva....??" the voice sounded scared and Minerva knew who it was. "Nothing Remus i'm fine" she said feeling far from it, behind her Remus humphed "Yeah! and i'm a monkey's uncle" concern echoed in his voice. He placed a hand on her arm and drew back, shocked as she recoiled. "It's nothing Remus just drop it!" Minerva snapped angrily grabbing her injured arm, the bloodstain now clearly obvious. She turned around and faced him, but felt her anger ebb away as she looked into his eyes. "Please Minerva, please tell me what's wrong." Remus asked.
Minerva couldn't have prevented what happened next even if she had wanted to, her legs gave way and she fell into Remus arms. He held her there a moment and realised she was shaking uncontrolably "What happened?" he asked again. Minerva didn't answer him, she clutched Remus like he was a life preserver and began to sob hysterically. Remus didn't know what to do and felt extremely uncomfortable. He had never in all his life seen her this upset and never would again in all probability, so he held her in a comforting way and whispered "Shhh.... come on it's okay, it's okay" several times. After about twenty minutes Minerva had calmed down, but the fearful look was still in her eyes. "Okay lets try this again" he said softly "What happened?" Minerva just looked down and muttered "Nothing." The other Professor exploded "Why are you lying to me!! Don't you think i'll believe you or something!!" he yelled shaking his head in disbelief. Minerva looked up, alarmed at his show of emotion. "No" she answered quietly "I'm afraid you will believe me and think i'm being stupid."
Remus stopped his ranting and stared at her "What!?!" he croaked, slumping into a chair "I would never think your being stupid, it's not like you. Please tell me Minerva it's hurting me seeing you like this" he blushed slightly as he realised what he said, but Minerva was too occupied to notice it. Again the transfiguration professor looked down "Okay i'll tell you, but you have to swear not to tell anyone. I feel stupid enough without half the staff knowing." Remus gave his word and Minerva began her tale. "Well I was walking down the corridor when I bumped into Lucius.." "Malfoy?" interjected Remus, Minerva nodded and continued " Well he knocked me over, and when I looked up at him he had this evil look on his face. Anyway I was trying to sort myself out when he grabbed my arm and pulled me up pretending he was helping me and well he... er pulled me close to him and.... er he... er put his arm around me and.... er felt me." she looked up, expecting Remus to be laughing at her stupidity but he wasn't, he looked outraged.
"HE WHAT!!" Remus yelled, ferocity dripping off every word. Minerva looked at him shocked "He.. he felt me" she said her voice shaking. "Where?" asked Remus, feeling his anger begin to spiral out of control, his collegue looked down ashamedly "He..... felt my backside, he had this twisted look of pleasure on his face.......... It was awful.." Remus shifted in his chair trying to control his temper "Was there anything else?" he asked, not really sure if he wanted to know. Minerva gave a stiff little nod "Well when he grabbed me he muttered something and I felt all weird, I still do now..... and after I pulled away, he stooped over me and said 'Better stay quiet, But then again who will believe you.' before he walked off................... Listen I told you I was being stupid." she gave a hopeless sigh and faced Remus, and was suprised to see his face full of anger.
"That BASTARD!" he cried "How DARE he do that, i'll kill him....." Remus stopped and looked at Minerva, dropping his head and blushing "Your not being silly Minerva, Lucius Malfoy's as bad as they get. You'd better be careful because he could make things much worse for all of us." There was a long silence between them which Minerva broke by whispering "Thank you" and placing a shaking hand on Remus's shoulder. Remus looked up and gave a small smile "Any time" he replied "Guess this really does make you a damsel in distress" and they both laughed, though rather uncomfortably. There was another silence but it was not as awkward as before, Remus stood and held his hand out to his friend "Come on let's get you to your room you need a rest" he said. Minerva shook her head sadly "I can't" she explained "I have a ton of work to do" and she gave a sigh, Remus looked at her disbelievingly "Can't it wait till tomorrow?" he asked her annoyed slightly at her stubborness. Minerva fixed him with a glare "Listen! I really haven't the time for this.... I have to get it done" she snapped, her voice still oddly shaky. Remus sighed and held his hand out stubbornly "Come on" he said softly "It can wait. I promise I'll help you tomorrow to make up for lost time." Minerva dropped her glare, Remus's voice was comforting and made her feel at ease, so she gave in. "Oh alright" she replied exasperatedly "I probably wouldn't have been able to concentrate anyway" and she took Remus's hand and allowed him to guide her out the room.
As they walked side by side down the corridor, the pair felt oddly calm but the tranquillity would not last for long. They were just crossing the entrance hall when a familiar but very unwelcome figure passed them "Why hello there again Professor" came Lusius Malfoy's voice. Minerva felt herself tense with the same horrible coldness as before but she continued to walk, beside her Remus was finding it very difficult to control his temper, something few people had ever seen as he was normal good natured and patient. "Come now, your not still bitter about our little meeting before are you?" he joked, his voice highly amused. The transfiguration Professor stopped and turned on the spot "Why should I?" she spat arrogantly, her usual predator like self returning "You were only trying to help me" her voice was as cold as ice. Lucius faltered slightly but came back quickly "So you enjoyed my.... Help?" he asked . Minerva stood there speechless, as quickly as her confidence had come it had left her again, she didn't have a chance to reply though, because Remus jumped in "No she didn't!!" he snarled, glaring murder at the older man.
Lucius gave him a cold stare, but an odd, slightly twisted smile appeared on his face "Ah look" he said the mocking in his voice clearly pronounced "The lady's 'Pet' has come to defend her." Remus felt his cheeks pinken but still glared at Malfoy "No Lucius" he said, his voice oddly composed, compared to his current disposition "I was mearly stating that no one anywhere could enjoy the help you give them." Lucius's smile dropped and he answered Remus harshly "Well 'Beast'!" and he emphasised the word 'beast' "I'm sure the dear Professor here would much rather accept help from me, than from someone who would more likely rip her apart given the chance." Remus felt his anger boil over and if looks could kill Lucius would have been dead ten minutes ago. He felt about for his wand, hoping to curse him into a million slimy pieces (much better than he deserves) and would have done just that had Minerva not stopped him. "Come on Remus, let it go, it's not worth it" she whispered grabbing his arm, Remus looked at her and knew at once she was right, Lucius was just trying to provoke him, trying to get something on him with which to get him sacked.
Minerva shot Lucius a look of disdain "If you'll excuse us Mr Malfoy, we have work to do!" she snapped, wheeling around and storming off down the corridor, dragging Remus behind her. Lucius glared as the two of them left and yelled after them " I'd get a muzzle for your 'pet' Minerva, his tounge will get him into trouble one day!" before stalking out of the front door. Down the corridor there was complete silence between the two Professor's, Minerva still had hold of Remus's arm and was dragging him along at an ungodly pace. "Hey... hey Minerva stop a minute will ya', your pulling my arm out of it's socket." he groaned, trying to reclaim his arm. Minerva stopped and looked around "Oh.... sorry Remus" she said releasing his arm, they hadn't realised it but they were outside Minerva's room.
Cautiously she opened the door and turned to face Remus "I'm so sorry for dragging you into this...." Remus held a finger to her lips "No" he said slowly "It should be Lucius who is sorry. I..I shouldn't have let him get to me, it wasn't your fault" he ran a hand through his hair. Minerva gave him a small smile "Like you said he's a bastard, he shouldn't have said those things to you" Remus shook his head "It's okay, i'm used to it" he said, though they both knew that it was a lie, it had really hurt. "Remus you listen to me" said Minerva sharply "The only beast around here is him, your his complete opposite and I would much rather have rather have your help any day." Remus looked into her eyes and saw nothing but complete honesty, "Er.. thanks" he muttered embarassedly. Minerva laughed "What for?" she asked, Remus looked uncomfortable "Er.. for what you just said." he replied sincerely. Minerva scrutinized closely "Why?.... It is the truth" she scoffed, Remus said nothing but just smiled. "Well I'll see you tomorrow" said Minerva "You did promise to help me and I hope you will stand by it." Remus dipped in a mock bow "Of course Mi' lady" he joked, Minerva just sighed and shook her head, closing the door behind her as she entered her room. Remus stood there for a moment and stared at the door. He had an urge to knock on the door but stopped himself "What am I thinking" he muttered, turning around and heading back toward the staff room to pick up his work.