Disclaimer: Not mine

A/N: This chapter describes the rape. It's not too graphic, but it is there. You have been forewarned.

Chapter Seven: True Acceptance

Once they returned to their quarters, Minerva sat staring into the fire. Albus went and sat next to his wife.

"Are you-"

"Don't Albus. Just don't."

Minerva stood and walked into their bedroom. She returned with a pillow and a blanket.

"If you are staying in our rooms tonight, you will need these for the couch." she said briskly, then re-entered the bedroom, sealing and locking the door behind her.

Albus didn't understand what happened, but wasn't surprised by it. Poppy had warned him that Minerva might have set backs and he shouldn't be discouraged by them. He decided to stay on the couch rather than go to his personal quarters. Minerva might have a nightmare and need him.

When she awoke, the weight of what she had done the night before sank in. She had completely pushed him away. The two had only ever had two small arguments in their entire marriage. Last night, she had banned him from their bedroom. She just hoped that he would be just as understanding with this as he had everything else.

As she showered, she knew the time was coming when she would have to fully open up to him. She had reached the point Poppy warned her against. She was now risking harm to her marriage that may not be repairable. She vowed to herself that today would be the day.

Albus was gone when she entered the sitting room, so she hurried down to the Great Hall. As she entered, her husband caught her eye. She smiled, almost shyly, and he returned it. This relieved Minerva greatly, as he appeared not to be angry with her. She wished she didn't have to endure breakfast with the other professors before she could talk to him.

Minerva sat nibbling on toast and reading the Daily Prophet. In the back, with the advertisements and announcements, was an article regarding interviews for a Potions Master at Hogwarts.

"Albus?"

"Yes, Minerva?"

"Where's Horace?"

"He had to take a leave of absence" her husband said simply.

"As well he should." added Professor Kettleburn.

After breakfast, Minerva went to the headmaster's office. It was only the second time she had been there since it became her husband's.

"I'm sorry, Albus."

"You need not apologize. I realize yesterday was difficult for you."

"But you were so kind. I had no right to yell at you."

"It is all forgotten."

"Why did you sack Horace?" she asked, changing the subject.

"What makes you think I did, my dear?"

"Because I know you."

"Firstly, he had no right to speak to a fellow teacher the way he did. Such disrespect must not be tolerated. Secondly, you are my wife. As your husband, I will not allow someone to speak that way to you."

"Why?"

"Because you deserve better."

"I-I feel like such a coward. I should have dealt with this better." Minerva said as she moved to the window so she would not have to face Albus. He, however, followed her. He lightly put one hand on each of hers. She, in turn, gently clasped them.

"You are handling this as well as anyone could. No one is expecting you to continue life as if nothing happened."

They looked deeply into each other's eyes for what seemed like an age. Albus could see how unsure she still was. Minerva saw only devotion and understanding in his gaze.

Minerva led him to the couch and both sat down. She had to do this. She couldn't let her life be ruled by something Grindelwald did. If she lost herself, it would only be another victory for the deceased dark lord. He already had far too many of those.

"I wasn't expecting- I wasn't prepared- I don't know how to deal with this. I hate this feeling of helplessness I have had ever since- ever since he held me down. Ever since I couldn't get away from him."

"You did everything you could. It does not make you weak."

Minerva nodded. "I think I am starting to believe that. I don't know how to feel better, though. I feel so helpless and useless and scared."

"He can't hurt you any longer."

"I know. I'm not scared of him. I"m scared of what this is turning me into. I'm scared of what this is doing to us."

"I have told you before that you need not worry about us. I will always be her for you, and with you for as long as you will allow me."

"I want my old life back, Albus."

"I know. But your life is different now. You can put this behind you, but it will always be a fact of your past."

"Having to deal with that scares me too."

"It will get easier. You just have to be patient, my dear."

"I want to be able to be a good wife to you. I miss our intimacy, but the thought of actually doing anything makes me nauseous. I get so nervous thinking about it."

"I am not expecting that from you for a long time. You can take all the time you need."

"That's not fair to you."

"It would be unfair of me to want something from you that you are not ready to give."

"Thank you for being so understanding, Albus."

Albus took her hand and kissed the palm. "It will get easier, Minerva. I promise."

"Poppy says it will get easier once I talk about that night."

Albus surveyed her seriously. "Are you ready for that?"

"I-I don't know. If I don't try I will never know."

"Don't rush yourself. Take as long as you need."

"Okay. Just, please don't interrupt me. I'm not sure I could start again if you stop me." Albus nodded, so she continued.

"I don't know how we got separated. There were so many of them. I thought I was still close to you and the other members of the order. By the time I realized I wasn't with any of you, it was too late. Three people disarmed me and dragged me to him."

"He taunted me for a while before- before he used a spell to banish my clothes." Here, Minerva began to cry again. Albus handed her a handkerchief, but didn't say anything.

"He-he conjured a bed and used another spell to tie me down with my legs spread apart. He started calling me names, telling me what a whore I was. By the time he got to the bed, he had undressed completely. He didn't use a spell on himself. I think he wanted me to see him strip. It gave me more time to panic about what was going to happen."

"He-he, oh Merlin, Albus. I-I" Minerva was hyperventalating by this point. Albus took her by the hands and gently massaged her wrists in small circles. She didn't pull away; in fact, this seemed to calm her. She grabbed his hands with hers and squeezed. Then she continued.

"He started running his-his hands over my body. I was biting my tongue so hard to keep from screaming. He was so rough, and I felt so dirty. I don't know how long he touched me. It seemed like hours, but it could have been only minutes. Finally, he laid on top- on top of me and-" Minerva broke down in sobs.

Whether it was an accident or a reflex reaction, Minerva placed her head on Albus' shoulder. He gently raised his hands and placed them on her back. She didn't shudder, so he kept them there.

Finally, in a small voice she said, "and he entered me. I couldn't hold back the screams then. I kept thinking I was cheating on you, like I was letting you down.

He finished, and told me he was going to kill me now that my purpose had been fulfilled. Then, I couldn't think at all. I was so happy and so horrified all at once when you came in. You saved my life, but I was sure you hated me when you saw I had been with another man. I realize now that you were right. I wasn't really with him, but that's not how it seemed at the time."

The two sat silently, her head still on his shoulder, for an eternity after that was said.

A/N 2: Sorry it took so long for the update. I knew what direction I wanted this to take, but suffered from writer's block when it came to actually getting there. Thanks for all the great reviews. Keep it up:)