Harry and Ron hurried down the Tower to Professor McGonagall's chambers.
"What is going on, Harry?"
"I don't know. I wish I did. Hopefully, Professor McGonagall will know."
"Yea, let's hope she's awake. She's gonna be mad as a hornet."
"Don't remind me!" They reached Minerva's chambers and knocked loudly. To their surprise, Dumbledore answered the door.
"Professor...Dumbledore?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, what are you doing out of bed at this hour?" The boys noticed the tired look on Albus' face and the twinkle that not longer existed in his eyes.
"We were looking for Professor McGonagall. We were hoping she could help us."
"Professor McGonagall...I'm afraid she is not feeling well right now. That is why I am here. Maybe I can be of some help?"
"Well, Professor, Harry's scar started hurting right after Neville woke us all up because he's having another nightmare. We can't get him to calm down." Albus quickly looked at Harry.
"Your scar hurts?" Harry nodded his head.
"Wait here one moment." Albus went back into Minerva's bedroom, leaving Harry and Ron to wonder what was wrong with Professor McGonagall. Albus quickly looked in on her and found her still asleep. She had been completely exhausted after sobbing for an hour and had fallen into a restless sleep. He shut the door quietly and then went back to Harry and Ron.
"Show the way." They led him up to Gryffindor Tower, where they found Neville cowering under his covers, Dean and Seamus trying to talk to him.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Dean exclaimed. He hadn't expected the Headmaster to come.
"What is the problem here?"
"Neville won't come out. He doesn't want to talk about this nightmare."
"And he does not have to. I suggest all of you go back to bed. Harry, I'd like you to come with Neville and myself to the hospital wing." Harry silently agreed, hoping that Dumbledore may give up some information about what had been going on in the castle. Dumbledore spoke quiet, comforting words to Neville. The boy made his way from under the covers a few moments later and wiped his eyes of tears. He followed Dumbledore and Harry out of the Tower and down to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey was not happy to be awake, but after seeing the serious look on Albus' face, she did not ask questions. After giving Neville a sleeping potion and checking Harry for any other pain or bruises, she retired to her private chambers. Neville quickly fell into a dreamless sleep, leaving Harry and Albus alone.
"Harry, I want to know exactly what happened when your scar began hurting."
"I don't know, Professor. All I know is that it woke me up. I called for Ron and he said that Neville was having a nightmare."
"Has your scar hurt any other time then the night Hermoine was taken?"
"Not until tonight."
"Alright, Harry, I want you to stay here tonight. Just to make sure that Madam Pomfrey can keep an eye on you. I will be back periodically to check on your condition. If your scar hurts again, I need you to wake Madam Pomfrey and tell her to find me right away. I shall be searching the castle for some answers right now. You try and rest." He patted Harry on the shoulder and walked away. Harry laid down on the hospital bed and wondered at what had just happened. It seemed that even Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard of his time, had no idea what was going on within Hogwarts. Harry knew that they needed to find out for themselves. It was time to put the plan into action.
The next morning, Minerva woke to find herself alone and still exhausted from the night before. She sat up, putting a hand to her head. The throbbing was making her dizzy. She sat a minute before standing up and looking out the window. Dark clouds had filled the air. There was an evil lurking around Hogwarts, one that Minerva knew all too well. She got ready for the day, thankful that the morning sickness seemed to be gone for the time being. She headed for the Great Hall but never made it. From behind, she was pulled into a corner, a hand covering her mouth to stop her from screaming. She kicked with all her might to get away, but something was different. This person was not struggling to take her anywhere.
"Minerva, it's me. Calm down." She knew the voice right away and stopped kicking. She turned around and saw her husband standing in front of her. "I am sorry, my dear, but I needed to talk to you right away. Let's go to my chambers." She agreed, still not knowing how he felt about her, now that he knew her secret. She walked next to him, nodding to the students that were walking towards the Great Hall. Once sitting in his chambers, Albus took her hands."Something is very wrong in the castle. There is an evil lurking in the dungeons. Min, I hate to ask you this...especially after the scare with the baby..." Minerva noticed the look of concern in his eyes. She squeezed his hands gently.
"What is it?" He looked at her and knew that she would do anything for him because she loved him that much. He hated to ask her to do this. He knew how hard it would be for her...to go back to the memories once more. But, it was nessecary.
"I...I need you to take me to the dungeons tonight....to the room." Minerva was silent for a moment. Her eyes were glazed with tears. When she didn't respond, he was afraid she would blow any second. He began to explain but she put her hand up to stop him.
"When?" Albus was taken by surprise.
"Er...tonight if possible. After the Gryffindor's are in their tower." She hesitated, not knowing if she wanted to go through the pain of memories again. But, she knew that Albus would not have asked if he did not have a good reason.
"Alright. I'll take you there." A small smile crept on to Albus' face. Minerva also allowed her lips to turn upward.
"Thank you. This is very important." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. As he prepared to leave for the Great Hall, Minerva pulled him back down on the couch.
"Albus...are you...do you hate me now?" Albus' eyes softened and he sat back down, pulling her close.
"I could never hate you, Tabby. I love you too much. What happened to you was not your fault. It will never be your fault. I'm just sorry that you could not tell me about it earlier. It pains me to see you in such a state." He kissed the side of her forehead. "I love you, Minerva, and nothing, not even..Lucius Malfoy...could ever change that." She relaxed slightly in his arms.
"I love you too, Albus. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before all this happened."
"It's not your fault. I understand how hard it was for you to deal with. Just know that I am here to help you carry that burden, alright?" She nodded and looked up at him.
"We should go. The children will want to know where we are." He agreed but did not leave before kissing her gently. She took his hand as he helped her up. By the time they reached the hallway, they were separated, walking side by side. They were Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. No one knew of their relationship behind closed doors. And that was the way it would remain until Voldemort was silenced for the last time.
In the Great Hall, Hermoine and Ron sat waiting for Harry and Neville. Ron had explained the night's events to Hermoine, leaving both worried for their friends safety. The two boys walked in together, both looking tired and weary. They sat next to Hermoine and Ron and no one said a word for a few moments. Finally, Ron spoke up.
"All right, Harry?" Harry nodded.
"Neville?" Neville mimicked Harry and then conversation began.
"What happened after you left the room? Professor Dumbledore didn't come back."
"We went to the hospital wing. Professor Dumbledore asked me what happened before my scar began hurting and I told him nothing because it woke me up this time. And Madam Pomfrey gave Neville a sleeping potion. Dumbledore did say that he was going to check the castle."
"Do you think he checked the dungeons?" Harry smiled sympathetically at Hermoine. He knew that she was still having trouble talking about what had happened to her.
"I don't know, Hermoine. He didn't say. He just said he had to check the castle and that he would check in on us every so often." Ron rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
"Well, no matter what happened last night, we still have to put the plan into action today. Everyone ready?" All four agreed. The plan would be put into action that night, at exactly the same time Minerva and Albus were to be investigating the dungeons. Neither party knew of the others plans...yet.