Chapter 4: Darkness Rising
-No matter how you push me away
-I've known right from the start
-That your the only one for me
-The Sovereign of my Heart
Anon
A week later Minerva was hurrying toward the library, her face burning. As she entered the library, Minerva slammed her books down in a fit of rage. From somewhere in the library Madame Pince gave a yelp and spun around to face her visitor, when she saw who it was she relaxed and called casually "God Professor, You scared the life out of me!"
Minerva swiveled round "Oh sorry Penny, just a little frustrated thats all." She said, looking down guiltily.
Madame Pince gave her a wry smile, and carried on with her work. Minerva sat down and put her head in her hands. She had never felt so confused in her life, what Remus had said to her, had really affected her in a way she couldn't describe and currently the last thing Minerva needed was confusion. Sighing she flicked open her book and said "I wonder if he meant it?"
"Meant what Professor?" called a silky voice mockingly, breaking into Minerva's thoughts. The Professor sat frozen for a second and then retorted "Nothing that concerns you Mr Malfoy.." She didn't turn to face him, but she could sense him hovering over her shoulder and it really made her feel uncomfortable. Shifting uneasily Minerva set about her work, still aware of Lucius's vigil
There suddenly came a loud crash from outside and Madame Pince rushed out muttering mutinously. Minerva turned and faced Lucius, a savage look on her face
"Why do you keep bugging me!!" she snarled, her wits frazzled to breaking point. Lucius threw her a casual smirk, but his eyes were gleaming with an unnatural hungry light.
"Whatever do you mean" he asked putting on a fairly passable innocent voice, but Minerva saw straight through it.
"You know exactly what I mean!" she spat venomously, turning away from him.
"I'm afraid I don't Professor" said Lucius silkly. He placed a pale hand on her shoulder and began caressing it. Minerva jerked her arm away savagely "Stop that!" she snapped savagely "I don't like it!"
Lucius ignored her and placed his other hand on the adjacent shoulder, finally losing all patience Minerva stood up and went to leave. However Lucius had not finished just yet. He grabbed hold of the Professors arm and dragged her down an isle.
"Where do you think your going Minerva!" he hissed, the hungry gleam still in his eyes.
Minerva struggled against her oppressor but Lucius was too strong.
"Let go of me JERK!" she screeched, her free arm flailing wildly, her balled fist attempting to make contact with Lucius's face. Lucius smiled the sickeningly smug smile and threw her against the bookcase. Pinning Minerva's arms to her side, Lucius casually rested his arm along her throat and stared deep into her eyes. Minerva stood there paralysed not with fear, but shock at how quickly the tables had turned on her. She knew she should be terrified but instead of fear, anger flowed through her and soon it was about to explode. Lucius looked at her "My we ARE feisty today" he cooed "Much more so than our last meeting."
The Professor regained her senses and resumed struggling against him, snarling "Get off me RIGHT NOW or there will be hell to pay!"
Lucius laughed a cold vicious laugh "Really my dear Professor, from whom?" he asked "You or your lovesick pet!" he finished sharply with dark humour.
Minerva blushed and Lucius pressed his advantage, he swiftly moved closer and kissed her. All the anger that had been boiling up inside her seemed to spurt forth in a single outburst. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to shove him off her, Minerva resorted to plan B. Barely conscious of what she was doing Minerva delivered a hard kick to Lucius's shins, and as he stumbled back she pressed a sharp knee into his gut. Winded and beaten Lucius fell to his knees clutching his stomach. "You little BITCH!" he snarled savagely, gasping for breath.
Minerva stood there silently adrenaline pumping through her, quickly she brandished her wand and pointed it at the mans forehead.
"Get.. Out....... NOW!" Minerva said firmly, somehow managing to keep her voice and hand steady.Lucius looked up at her, a look of fear flickering across his face. He knew she was a powerful woman, and he knew she knew that. But even he wasn't fool enough to anger her now "Fine I'll leave, but you can't hide forever Professor.. Remember that."
And he quickly rose and left the library. Minerva watched him leave and then sunk to her knees, weeping silently 'Why me?' she thought 'Why hurt me and put me through this.... I don't know how to handle situations like this!' She took a shakey breath and was relieved to hear the main door to the library open.
Madame Pince entered muttering something about Peeves. A second later, another voice called from down the corridor "Penny, hey Penny!"
Madame Pince swivelled on the spot "Oh hello there Remus, what brings you here?" she asked in a friendly manner.
Remus skidded to halt outside the door "Er.. you haven't seen Minerva around have you... I really need to talk to her and I've been getting the impression she is avoiding me." He said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Penny gave him a scrutinizing look "Yes, she was in here.. along with Lucius Malfoy.. but..." she trailed off at the look of horror on Remus's face.
"WHAT!!" he cried, dashing past the surprised Madame Pince into the library. Remus gazed around and called "Minerva are you in here?"
Minerva looked up bleary-eyed, never had she heard a more welcome voice but she felt slightly guilty, she had been avoiding him. "I'm here Remus" she said quietly, her voice shaking.
Remus hurried over and knelt down beside her "Are you okay?" he asked softly. Minerva looked up her eyes glistening "Oh Remus I didn't know what to do." she sobbed, dissolving into silent tears.
Remus looked at her shocked and then put his arm around her shoulder in a comforting way "It's okay, don't worry" he whispered.
Minerva leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes "But it's not Remus, It's not" she said sadly. Madame Pince approached them slowly, "Er... I'm not interupting anything am I?... What happened?" she questioned them. Both of the Professors looked uncomfortable,
"It's nothing for you to worry about Penny, honestly don't worry." said Minerva, getting to her feet and swaying slightly.
"Come on Minerva, I'll take you to your room" and Remus forced himself under her arm as support, the shock was now setting in and Remus doubted she would get far on her own.
Madame Pince looked oddly at them, they were opposites and yet they were relying on each other, something bad had happened even she could see that but what she didn't know.
"Are you sure your Okay?" asked Penny, eyeing Minerva worriedly.
Minerva nodded her face expressionless " I'm fine, just not feeling very well that's all" she said placidly "Don't worry"
Madame Pince gave a shrill laugh "Minerva I would never worry about you. You know how to look after yourself"
The Professor looked down and muttered "I wish I did" under her breath.
Remus then escorted Minerva to her room. It seemed odd to Minerva, that when she had needed help the most, the last person she expected to get it from had been there for her, and she was glad of it. As they walked along Remus may as well have been carrying Minerva, the shock had finally gotten to her, and her body had quit on her leaving her hanging limp around Remus's neck. They both seemed in some kind of trance. "Thank you" muttered Minerva.
Remus snapped back into reality "Whaa...?" he said blearily.
Minerva smiled slightly "I said thank you Remus pay attention!" her voice was still quiet and croaky, but the sentence held humour that had previously been absent.
"Oh... Er it's okay" said Remus nervously, he had been staring at her for the last few minutes and abrubtly looked away as she looked up.
"No I really mean it..... I don't know what I would have done back there if you hadn't been there" she said honestly. Remus blushed a little "Really.. It's nothing" he said "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
They reached Minerva's room and stopped, the door was wide open and the room had been ransacked. "Oh God!" cried Remus, anger filling his voice. Minerva just stared in disgust at the mess that had once been her room, there was no way she would be sleeping in there tonight.
"Great I have nowhere to sleep now" she yelled angrily, slamming her fist against the wall. Grumbling she sat down with her back to the wall "This day just keeps getting better and better!"
Remus sat down beside her, a mixture of anger and sadness washing over him
"So what now?" he asked casually. The other Professor threw him a disgruntled glance
"Oh I don't know.... I think I'll fly to Never-never land for the evening and take it from there" her voice was laidened with sarcasm.
Remus looked down 'She picks a damn fine time to be sarcastic' he thought, he glanced across at Minerva who by know looked thoroughly miserable.
"I tell you what you need.." said Remus before realising it. Minerva glared at him "And what pray tell is that..?" she asked, her curiosity and annoyance getting the better of her.
Remus gave her a cheeky grin "A nice cup of Tea" he said, perking up considerably.
Minerva groaned and gave him a playful smack round the head "I don't think this is the time or the place" she babbled, but smiled a little.
Remus's grin grew wider "Ah go on" he whispered grinning evily. Minerva glared at him, but it didn't deter his little tirade. " Ah go on , go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on.*" Remus repeated, wondering not for the first time how long he had before she cursed him.
Minerva finally gave in "OH FINE!" she snapped, sounding much more like her usual self that Remus sighed in relief.
He helped Minerva up and the two Professors walked toward Remus's room, again there was silence between them but it was much more comfortable than before. They approached the room and Remus opened the door, Minerva noted that it was a little tidier than before.
"Have a seat" said Remus, offering the bed. Minerva sat and suddenly felt extremely sleepy. Remus went over to the small stove and put the kettle on, humming to himself he gathered two cups and the other ingrediants.
"Minerva how many sugars do you take?" he asked turning around, and sighing at what was before him. There on the bed lay Minerva, fast asleep.
Remus smirked a little "Looks like she didn't really want a cup of tea."
He made himself a cup and sat down in a chair next to his desk. He stared at Minerva, she looked different than he remembered. She was certainly paler and looked as if a good meal would kill her, but there was a child-like frailness to her that her didn't like. He had always known her to be a strong, independant woman and seeing her like this didn't sit right with him. He sipped his tea and stood up, rumaging in his drawers for an extra couple of blankets. Extracting them he moved over toward Minerva and draped one over her, removing her glasses first. Minerva turned over and snuggled into the blanket a smile full of comfort and peace on her face. Remus smiled and conjured up a matress "Doesn't look like she's going anywhere tonight" he said, settling himself and pulling his flimsy blanket over him. Within ten minutes he too was asleep.
(*A/N: The 'Ah Go On' gag does not belong to me. For those of you who are not British it is from a TV show called Father Ted, and the Tea lady uses the 'Ah Go On' thing to force tea down their throats, It is kind of a running gag)