Chapter 4

The walk to the designated classroom took only a few minutes time. Minerva stood before him, her outer robes discarded. "I want to really see what this bracelet can do so don't hold back on me."

The room around them glowed with candlelight. A long thin dais was set up in the center of the room so every student could see the demonstrations they would be giving. A few chairs were scattered along the wall along with a couple of mirrors and old wizarding and muggle weapons. Large thick draperies covered the only set of windows and a large fireplace stood against the far wall and crackled merrily as it warmed the room.

The twinkle in Albus' eyes increased as Minerva moved into position for a formal duel. With a bow to her, he promised that he would not hold back on his hexes. Three steps later he turned and cast the first hex of the evening. "Rictusempra."

The tickling charm was easily shielded by her bracelet and Minerva grinned. "Well at least I know you didn't give me a shoddy piece of jewelry. Surely you can do better than that."

"Tarantallegra." The blue burst of energy shot from his wand and Minerva sighed as she blocked that curse as well.

"Albus, I am not a child so I would kindly ask that you not treat me as one."

Albus had no intention of doing anything that would cause her harm but he knew that if he didn't pick up the pace, Minerva would become angry. "As you wish, my dear."

"Locomotor Mortis." As the jinx fell from his lips, Albus had the next curse ready and proceeded to bombard Minerva with a never-ending stream of spells to combat for several grueling minutes.

The bracelet was working wonders and Minerva began to use her wand to throw up shield charms as well. A shimmer of perspiration appeared on her forehead as she was forced to dodge several well-aimed hexes.

When Albus finally let up, Minerva had a tired but happy grin on her face. "That was exhilarating. It has been far too long since I have been put through my paces."

"I must say you are a challenging adversary, my dear, and the students are sure to learn valuable lessons with you as their guide," Albus huffed trying to catch his breath. Transfiguring one of the chairs into a small sofa, he dropped onto it, pulling Minerva down beside him. He brought her hand up to his lips and raised his eyes to meet hers before placing a lingering kiss to the back of her hand. "Thank you, Minerva."

"Whatever for? I should be the one thanking you for everything you've done for me since, well…you know. I honestly don't know what I would have done without your shoulders to lean on." She leaned over and placed a soft kiss to his cheek, wiping away the faint traces of her lipstick from his smooth skin.

"Ahem…pardon me," Armando cleared his throat and broke into the moment. "I was told that I could find you both here, practicing your dueling lessons but obviously my sources were incorrect in their assumptions." Albus and Minerva both felt heat in their faces as a blush colored their skin. "I came in search of Albus for I fear something unfortunate has occurred and it is rather unsettling."

Albus looked at Armando and then to Minerva before turning back to the Headmaster. "I can only assume that it involves me in some serious manner. Otherwise, you would not be here with such a dour look on your face. What's happened?"

Minerva felt a cold shiver pass through her body as she watched Armando's face turn pale. She could tell from his appearance that whatever had transpired, it had managed to unnerve the usually composed head of Hogwarts and that was saying something.

"It would seem that the portrait guarding your rooms permitted someone into your rooms. I have spoken with The Black Knight and he assured me that the person looked exactly like you and even had your password. He wasn't concerned until a portrait from the inside fled your chambers in a hurry on his way to my office to tell me of your odd behavior."

Albus was now standing, ready to rush to his rooms but a soft yet firm hand on his shoulder stopped him. Minerva was already by his side, willing and ready to follow him but her much cooler head prevailed, opting to wait until they had heard all Armando had to say.

"When Sir Richard arrived in my office, he was visibly shaken. It would seem that the intruder has ransacked your rooms and left you a rather unflattering message on your bedroom walls. I tried to remove it before you could see it, but I think it was magically stuck there, at least until you have a chance to read it. I warn you, it's not a pretty sight, nor is the image it conjures in the mind." Armando dropped his eyes to the floor to hide his embarrassment.

"Do I even have to ask whether or not you assume this to be the work of Michael?" Minerva asked softly.

"It would appear that way. But what disturbs me most is that he obviously was able to alter his appearance to look exactly like Albus and was good enough at it to fool the portraits. I'm on my way to speak to The Black Knight once more before writing up a formal report."

"Armando, I'd like to come with you. I do not think it wise that you go alone, just in case Michael is still carrying a grudge against you too for his reprimand." Albus took a step towards the door when he felt Minerva's hand clasp his with a reassuring squeeze, indicating her willingness to follow.

"Absolutely not! After your little display in the Great Hall, I should think your presence would be far more aggravating than mine should we happen to run into him in the hallways. Take Minerva back to her new rooms and do not leave until you hear from me. I do not want to risk Michael charging into her rooms and wreaking more havoc upon her or the school. It's time for this foolishness and childish behavior to stop. You are not to leave each other's presence under any circumstances either. Right now I'm able to distinguish the real Albus from the fake one and so is Minerva. But if Michael is really up to such dastardly deeds, I do not wish to take any unnecessary risks with Minerva's life…or yours."

The walk to Minerva's rooms was filled with a strained silence. Each lost in their own thoughts and listening for any unusual sounds which would indicate that they were being watched or followed. Once inside her new quarters, Albus began to pace in front of the fireplace. A voice in the back of his mind was practically shouting for him to follow Armando. Something wasn't right and he was warring with himself on whether to follow his instincts or to follow the order given to him by his Headmaster.

"You should go."

Surprised by her statement, Albus turned to look at Minerva. She was perched on the edge of her sofa, a penetrating look in her eyes. He didn't ask her how she knew. "Armando gave me a direct order."

"And you always taught us to follow our instincts. Yours have never been anything but superb and if they are telling you to go after Armando then you should. Just be careful."

With a grateful smile on his face, Albus was out the door and running down the hallway. His nerves were on fire and the foreboding feeling that he had been able to ignore while in the relative safety of Minerva's chambers was building to unbearable heights. As he turned the corner that led to his rooms, he noticed a lump in the middle of the floor.

Melting into the shadows along the wall, Albus looked around allowing his senses to absorb his surroundings. After a few quiet moments, he realized that the danger had passed and he rushed to the robed figure. A small puddle of blood was pooling near the unconscious man's head and as Albus gently turned him over, his fears were realized.

Armando lay on the ground, pale and unmoving. A gash across the side of his head was seeping blood at an alarming rate and Albus felt his heart nearly stop as he realized the seriousness of the situation. Just as he began to check for a pulse, a low moan escaped Armando's lips and Albus released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding.

"What?" The Headmaster's eyes fluttered open and they looked blurry and disoriented. "I thought I told you to stay with Minerva." Armando's voice lacked its usual commanding tone and was barely more than a shaking whisper.

"And if I had listened to you, you may very well have laid here bleeding to death with none of us the wiser. Now try to stay still while I will take you to the infirmary."

Albus quickly cast a charm on Armando's wound to stop the bleeding temporarily, at least until a more skilled mediwitch could attend him properly. Then skillfully he levitated the older wizard and marched off in the direction of the infirmary, never noticing the man hiding in the dark shadows watching the entire scene before his anger filled eyes.

Michael waited patiently in the darkness until he was certain Albus and Armando were well on their way before he slithered from his hiding place. He still retained the appearance of Albus, which could prove useful if he should meet anyone else in the hallways. A wicked smile curled upon his lips as he took stock of the situation he now found himself in. Swiftly, he transfigured his robes to resemble those now being worn by Albus before walking purposefully in the direction of Minerva's new chambers.

It had only been a few moments since Albus had left her safe and secure in her chambers but to Minerva, it felt like agonizing hours since his departure. Periods of uneasiness and downright fear gripped her heart in between bouts of confidence in Albus' abilities and her own feelings of security behind her warded chamber doors. No longer able to sit still, she began tracing the path Albus had started when they had first entered her rooms, practically picking up where he left off. Her thoughts turned to him and how she had been able to read his mind. It was as if she could hear his thoughts in her own mind, something she had never before experienced…a true connection to someone she truly cherished.

A swift knock on her chamber door snapped her from going too far down that line of thought as her heart jumped into her throat. Gripping her wand firmly in her hand, she walked on shaky legs to the door. "Who is it?" she called out.

"Minerva, it's Albus," the man answered quietly for fear she would detect the difference in his voice. "Please, let me in," he pleased in earnest.

Outside in the corridor, Michael could hear Minerva removing the wards guarding her chambers and he tried to wipe the smile from his face. Finally, he would be able to teach this wench a lesson without that meddlesome Albus Dumbledore interfering in what was supposed to be a private matter between himself and Minerva.

When she opened the door, a shudder passed through her as she peered into the fake Albus' eyes. Thinking that it was merely a reaction to the dramatic chain of events from the evening, she reached out and took his hand in hers, pulling him into the room and locking the door behind them. Once again though, Minerva noticed that when she took Albus' hand in hers, there was no tingle or spark associated with the touch of his skin to hers. She had grown quite fond of that little sensation and since it was lacking, a nagging feeling began to take hold of her.

Michael strutted confidently into Minerva's sitting area, taking note of the cozy new surroundings no doubt Albus had been privy to in the recent days. He waited until Minerva was near him before he wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her to him tightly, inhaling the familiar scent of her skin and hair just seconds before planting a rather heated kiss to the sensitive spot just below her ear.

Bells and whistles began to sound alarms inside Minerva's mind. This wasn't Albus! No warmth or twinkle in his eyes. No spark of electricity as their hands touched. No shivers dancing across her skin from a tender kiss. And the most telling sign of all…no trace of the chocolate and lemon scent she had come to lovingly associate with Albus. Pushing him back abruptly, she slapped his face and steeled her nerves for his retaliation. To her, he looked like Albus but in her heart of hearts, she knew her eyes were being deceived but to her advantage, the fake Albus didn't know that she knew.

Michael growled and started to raise his hand before he realized that Albus would never do such a thing. Instead he moved his hand to gently touch her cheek. "Whatever was that for, my dear?"

Minerva's growing revulsion at the deception before her was becoming hard to hide. She pulled her face from his hands. "How dare you. I told you I was not interested in your advances. You had no right to push your intentions on me, especially after we agreed to only be friends. Now I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to leave."

Michael watched as Minerva hung her head and took a seat by the fire, her back to him. Obviously his assumption that Minerva and Albus had jumped between the sheets was a bit off. That realization caused him to pause before his next advance. Perhaps he needed to take another course of action against the betraying witch.

It never occurred to Michael as he stalked up behind her that it was he who betrayed her. Nor did any of the love he had once held for her in his heart, make its presence known. Only a great need for revenge held any sway in his heart and mind. She had embarrassed and insulted him and in front of his colleagues and friends and for that he would make her pay.

Being with Albus these last few days, Minerva had quickly discovered talents she wasn't aware she possessed. Spending time in comfortable and friendly surroundings for the extended period of time had granted her the calmness and peace of mind to fine-tune her senses. Focusing all her attentions on the imposter behind her, she could discern an overwhelming amount of anger radiating from the man pretending to be sweet, kind, gentle, loving Albus. Gripping her wand tightly, she waited for the right moment to make a move of her own.

Michael stood behind Minerva for a long moment, concentrating on the task he had set for himself. With Minerva gone, he would be free to continue his life with his head held high. He would play the part of the grieving yet jilted lover who desperately wanted to reconcile with Minerva but was forced to keep his distance from her because of Albus Dumbledore's lust. And in that rage, the one where she would supposedly spurn his advances, he would lose control and end up accidentally killing the Scottish flower, his Minerva. A wicked smile curled upon his thin lips as he imagined Albus being sent to Azkaban prison for a crime he did not commit.

Minerva inwardly flinched as his hands touched her shoulders, attempting to gently massage them in an effort to gain back her trust. She stiffened as his hands gripped her shoulders tightly, tight enough to cause bruises to form by morning. "Remove your hands from me at once and leave…NOW!"

"I'm merely trying to make peace, Minerva. You've been so tense lately and a good massage will do you good," he answered in a soft tone, still afraid his voice would betray his identity. "Let me do this for you as only an experienced man can. No doubt Michael never treated you to such wonderful sensations," he said trying to bait her once more.

"He cheated on me Albus, with a harlot from Hogsmeade. What makes you think I'm ready for any kind of relationship with anyone at this point? His stupidity and callousness is unforgivable and I hope he is shamed for the rest of his natural life, though I can't say I'd mourn him if he were to meet an untimely demise! Now, I will not ask you to leave again. The next time I do, you will not be happy with the results." Minerva gripped her wand tightly in the pocket of her robes.

Michael was infuriated by her inflammatory remarks and her ultimate disregard for their time spent together. His hands had wound themselves around her slender neck, still kneading the muscles but with increased force. As she spoke, he could feel his anger pooling in the pit of his stomach and his mind was flooded with images of her limp body lying on the sofa for all to see. Without giving it another thought, he closed his hands around her neck and began to choke her, pouring all his hatred and bitterness into his hands.

Minerva had a firm grip on her wand and she sensed his growing rage with every word that fell from her lips. As his hands clamped tightly around her neck, she jumped from the sofa and whirled around to face him, her wand inches from his long nose. There was no mistaking the determination in her eyes or the steadiness of her wand arm. All too often he had seen that look. She was finished bantering with him and the next words from her lips would be some calculated and complicated spell directed at him.

"Michael, I am no fool! Do you think you can honestly pretend to be Albus Dumbledore when you're not even worthy to wipe the mud from his boots?" she bellowed as she stared into his eyes.

He contemplated standing his ground with her but he could tell his charade was over and since he was at the disadvantage now with her wand pointed directly at him, his only option was to run. At least if he removed himself from her presence, he could hide until another opportunity presented itself. Grabbing her arm and thrusting her backwards over the sofa, he darted from the room, narrowly missing Albus as he ran down the dark corridors, leaving Minerva's door open and the assaulted witch lying on the floor.

TBC