Author's note- long time no update- sorry! This chapter makes things...a bit more interesting

Chapter 3- Monkshood
"Good morning Professor McGonagall." Dumbledore said to Minerva as she came to the head table at breakfast one morning. "I hope you slept well."
"Indeed I did, Professor Dumbledore." She replied kindly, "And how are you this fine morning?"
"Excellent." He said. Minerva glanced at him thoughtfully. He looked slightly sad, but she couldn't place it. Minerva, however, had never been better. She loved teaching, she loved Hogwarts, and most of all, she loved Rom Riddle. As she thought of him, she heard several people gasp and giggle. She turned toward the noise, and saw Tom carrying flowers toward her. She too gasped. Tom came to her, kissed her, and presented her with the bouquet.
"They are Monkshood." He said. "I picked them this morning for you." She took the flowers and smiled. Minerva felt something hard at her hands where she was holding the flowers and looked in surprise. A green stone snake with black eyes, enchanted to fit the bouquet, held the flowers together. She smiled again. Green was her favorite color, even though she was a Gryffindor.
"Happy Halloween." He whispered in her ear. Minerva laughed aloud. She had completely forgotten.

"These are beautiful Tom." Minerva said as she arranged them in her windowsill.
"I'm glad you like them." He replied. "Care for a game of chess? We have awhile before our classes."
"Alright." She replied. She got out the board, with Tom's green pieces and her red one, and the game began. It was long and hard and many pieces were lost on each side. However, Minerva got the lead, and Tom was vanquished. He remained with his king, a bishop, and few pawns. He had few moves left.
"My favorite pieces are the knights." Minerva said to him, moving her last knight so it put his king in check. "They are the most fascinating by far. I like how they move too. They are the true warriors of the board. However, that sometimes means they make the most sacrifices."
"I should certainly say so." Tom agreed. "Bishop to E-4." He commanded, and they both watched as Tom's bishop captured and killed Minerva's knight.
Later on, their conversation turned to their students. Tom had three Slytherians whom he considered brilliant, and were closest to him. These were fifth years Abbot Crabbe, Alfanso Black, and Lucius Malfoy. Minerva could not hide her contempt for the trio.
"Its not that their not brilliant. I should certainly agree that they are. But their attitudes, how they carry themselves! They treat all muggle- borns like scum Tom!"
"They've never been cruel to me, and the country knows I'm muggle born. Oh Minerva, its just how they were raised. The Crabbe family is related to the Black family, the most highly regarded wizarding family in the country. And the Malfoys are powerful in their own right. Its simply how they were raised. Not everyone had the moral advantages you had while growing up, my dear. I certainly didn't." that was the only time Minerva had ever heard Tom mention the orphanage he was raised in. it startled her.
"Oh Tom, I'm sorry. But no matter the upbringing, people shouldn't treat others the way those three boys do for any reason, especially based on their birthright. Tom, I'm sorry for bringing this up." She cried, obviously upset. Tom hugged her.
"Minerva, it is I who should apologize. Please, please don't cry. I beg of you. I beg your forgiveness." And they were lovers again. All the while, the flower's marble snake's eyes glowed green.
All of November passed, and half of December. The monkshood still remained in bloom, and Tom confessed he had charmed them so they would never die. Minerva took to wearing them in her hair. Dumbledore noticed one morning and complimented her upon it. Professor Nimphus, the herbology professor noticed this as well.
"A very odd flower to give a beloved, or anyone for that matter. "he muttered to Dumbledore as Dumbledore watched Minerva enter the hall."
"Why ever so Nimphus?" Dumbledore asked, surprised.
"Do you not know the meaning of monkshood? Tom does for sure, when he came down to see me, he was carrying a flower book with meanings in it, and had the page open to the monkshood. He insisted on monkshood. " Nimphus questioned. Dumbledore confessed that he did not know the meaning of the flower.
"It means, "A deadly Foe is near."