It was the Christmas holiday at Hogwarts, most of the students having left that morning for home. The castle was decorated with beautiful trees, ornaments, and mistletoe. Things had been quiet since that night almost a month before. Albus hadn't the heart to ask Minerva to go down to the dungeons since then. He knew that she had been in an emotional turmoil ever since the children had found out about her kidnapping eleven years earlier. He knew they needed to go down soon, considering the trio, along with Neville were all staying at the castle over the Christmas holiday. The other Weasley children were also staying on, as well as some first and second years from the other three houses.
The afternoon of Christmas Eve, the trio and Neville walked back to Gryffindor Tower, all lost in their own thoughts. They had been trying to come up with a solution to what had happened in the dungeons. They knew for a fact that the room Hermoine had been taken to was the room their Professor had also been held captive in. What they didn't know was why.
"It all makes sense so far. Professor McGonagall came and got me out of the room because she was the only one who knew where it was. So she is the only one who knows how to get through the wall. That is why Professor Dumbledore had her with him that night in the dungeons. What we don't know is what happened to her in there, besides the fact that she was injured. And how to get through that stupid fireplace!" Hermoine put her head in her hands once they were sitting on the couchs in the common room. Ron hesitated and then tentatively put an arm around Hermoine's shoulders. Instead of backing away, she leaned into his embrace and sighed. "I wish we knew what Professor McGonagall knows. It would make all this so much easier."
"Well, we're here by ourselves now, aren't we? No classes, teachers shopping in Hogsmeade. We can investigate a lot more without them looking over our shoulders all the time." The trios jaws dropped after hearing Neville's suggestion.
"Neville...are you saying that you want to break school rules?" Ron's face turned from one of shock to one of pride. "We have taught you well!" The four started planning for another trip down to the dungeons.
In Albus' office, he was going over and over the events of the past few months in his mind. Halloween night when the lights went out, Neville had his first nightmare. Hermoine's kidnapping triggered Harry's pain. Then, another night, both had occurred but he had found nothing in the dungeons. The room Hermoine was taken to was the same room Minerva had been raped in. Things were not adding up the way he was used to. He needed more answers and more time. The knock at the door made him forget his thoughts and focus on being Headmaster.
"Come in." He was surprised to see Poppy walk in.
"Poppy, is everything alright?" Poppy sat down with a huff.
"Albus, we need to talk." Albus knew this meant he was in trouble.
"Alright, what is wrong?"
"Your wife."
"I see. What about Minerva?"
"Albus, this is too much on her. The children finding out about what happened eleven years ago, well, I didn't even know until a few years back. I still don't know all of what happened, she won't tell me. But, I do know that it had a major effect on her and she hasn't been herself since that night you found the students in the dungeons. Albus, I'm worried about her." Albus stood up and walked over to Fawkes. He stroked the phoenix gently and then looked back at Poppy.
"I know. This all has been very hard for her to deal with. But, we need to know what is going on in the castle. Poppy, it's something very evil. I'm afraid...I'm afraid it is Voldemort." Poppy flinched at his casual use of the name.
"Well, no matter what it is, we need to watch out for Min. I don't want that baby coming too early. We've already had one scare, Albus." He nodded.
"I know. Believe me, it worries me every day that something is going to happen to Minerva or the baby. I just...wish I could figure all this out so she wouldn't be under so much stress." Poppy stood up and squeezed his shoulder gently.
"It's alright, Albus. We'll take care of her...both of us."
Dinner that night was quiet and small. All the teachers were around but the student population had shrunk considerably. The students all sat together, considering there was an average of four per house table. Albus leaned over to Minerva after they had finished their meal.
"Would you mind coming to my office after you see the Gryffindor's back to the Tower?" Minerva smiled at him.
"Of course not. I'll meet you there." He smiled as well. It was good to see her happy for once. He stood up and walked towards his office. He had some things to discuss with her that were very serious. This was going to be a long night.
Minerva stood up a few moments later after seeing that Hermoine, Harry, Ron, and Neville were finished with their meals. The ache in her back caused her to slow her steps. Poppy kept a sharp eye on her as she moved towards the table.
"Are you four ready to go?" The four nodded and got up, following Minerva to the common room of Gryffindor Tower. Once inside, she made sure to tell them to stay in the tower.
"Goodnight. See you in the morning." Before she was able to leave, Hermoine called her back.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Miss Granger?" It had taken Hermoine months to get up the nerve to ask her this question, but she knew it was time.
"Are you alright? I mean...well, it just seems like something is wrong." Minerva hesitated before answering.
"I am fine, Miss Granger. Thank you for your concern. Now, I suggest you all get to bed early. It seems Christmas comes quicker when one goes to sleep at a descent hour. Goodnight." She left quickly, not wanting to be asked any more questions. She made her way to Albus' office. She was happy he had asked her to come. They hadn't spent much time alone since the dungeon incident.
She walked in, finding Albus deep in thought at his desk. She stood directly in front of him and he did not even notice her.
"Well, I would think you would acknowledge a lady when she walks in a room, especially since she is your wife." Albus jumped slightly and then smiled. He stood up and walked around his desk, meeting her with open arms. She gratefully stepped into his embrace and they held each other for a few moments. He let her go and helped her sit on a couch.
"My dear, we have some things to discuss. That is why I asked you to come tonight. I know you said you were busy, but we need to settle some things." Minerva knew what he wanted to talk about.
"Alright Albus. Say what you must."
"We need to go to the dungeons...soon."
"How soon?"
"Tonight if possible." She sighed. Her back ached, as did her head, and her stomach seemed to be doing flip flops.
"Must it be tonight, Albus?" He nodded.
"We need to get things sorted out. We have a meeting with the Order tomorrow."
"Tomorrow! But, it's Christmas, Albus!"
"I know, my dear, but remember, we promised to take Neville, Harry, Hermoine, and Ron to Grimmauld Place to see everyone." Minerva reluctantly gave up her fight.
"Alright. But, we'd better get started. This could take awhile." He helped her up and took her hand as he led her out of his office in the direction of the dungeons. They reached the room where the fireplace was, the fireplace which would turn into a passage. Minerva's hand turned cold and clammy in Albus'. He squeezed it gently as she let go and stood in the fireplace.
"It's alright, Min. I won't let anything happen to you." She looked back and smiled at him gratefully. She took her wand and carefully tapped on the bricks, which formed a "V." The bricks slid into a doorway, showing the room beyond the wall. Albus took Minerva's hand once again and led her through the entry. She told him where to go and they soon reached the fourth room after the blockade. Albus went to open the door but Minerva stopped him.
"Wait." He looked back at her and saw the fear in her eyes.
"Tabby, it's alright. You're not alone...I'm right here with you. Everything is going to be fine. We'll look around and see if anything is familiar and then we'll go. That's all we need to do." She hesitated but nodded, allowing him to open the door. He felt a strange power surrounding the door, an evil he knew to be that of Voldemort's. As he pushed the door open, he saw finally the hideous room in which his Minerva had been tortured. It looked like a normal classroom, except that tables were overturned as were all the chairs. There were chains hanging from the ceiling and walls. Albus flinched as thoughts of what Minerva had endured that night so long ago flooded his mind. He walked in, almost pulling her along. She would not look anywhere but the floor. There were too many memories of this room, memories she hated. Albus scanned the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary. It was dark, making it hard to see the details of the room.
"Lumos," he commanded, his voice barely a whisper. His wand lit from the end and his eyes were drawn to the blackboard. He left Minerva standing in the middle of the room and walked to the board, reading it's message. He looked back at her and saw she was looking at a particular spot on the floor. The message scared him half to death, but he couldn't let her know of his fear. He needed to be strong for her, for the baby, for the students, and most especially, for Harry.
Minerva cautiously looked up, afraid of what she would find. She saw Albus standing by the blackboard and moved to be near him. When she saw the words that were written, she gasped and reached out for him. He caught her in his arms, helping her balance herself out.
"Al...Albus...." Unwanted tears fell down her cheeks as she reread the message.
"Come, Minerva. I have seen what I needed to see." He led her out of the room, sealing the door shut with a spell known only to him. She clung to him as they walked back towards his office. He helped her sit in a chair and covered her with a blanket. He conjured up two cups of tea and handed her one. He sat next to her, a protective arm around her shoulders. He did not speak for he was deep in thought, as was Minerva. Only when there was a knock at the door did the two of them come back to the present. Albus helped Minerva up and she headed for the bedroom to stay out of sight of any students. Albus opened the door after she was gone and found Harry, one of the only students who knew the password.
"Mr. Potter, is there something I can help you with?" Harry nodded and Albus let him in.
"Please, sit down." Harry sat in an armchair next to the fireplace. Albus took a seat on the couch across from him.
"You know you are not to be out after 6:00, Mr. Potter, which leads me to believe that this is very important or you would be in your common room."
"Yes, sir. It is very important. It's about the dungeons and the room Hermoine was taken to." Albus sat back against the cushions.
"I see. Go on, please."
"Well, sir, you know that the four of us, Ron, Hermoine, Neville, and I, were all wondering which room it was."
"Yes, that is what I concurred after finding you in the dungeons."
"Yes. You see, sir, we were hoping that you could take us to the room Hermoine was taken to. Hermoine and Neville need some closure. They need to know what is in the room, just to put their minds at ease."
"I am afraid, Mr. Potter, that taking Miss Granger and Mr. Longbottom to the room would only cause them more emotional turmoil. I hope you will understand that this is for the best, Harry." Harry sat up, noticing how Dumbledore had used his first name. He knew that Dumbledore still felt bad about not telling him about the prophecy sooner. He was slowly beginning to trust the Headmaster again. When his first name was used in conversation, Harry knew that Dumbledore was being very serious.
"I understand, sir. But, I do think that you should talk to Hermoine and Neville about the room. They are still upset about it."
"Yes, Mr. Potter. I believe you are right. I will talk to them both tomorrow if that is sufficient?" Harry nodded and stood.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore." He walked to the door and then turned, remembering how Hermoine had bravely questioned McGonagall.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Albus turned to him. "Is Professor McGonagall alright?"
"Why do you ask, Harry?" Again, noticing the use of his first name, Harry continued.
"She seems...well, she hasn't seemed herself lately."
"Professor McGonagall, as well as all of the staff, has been under a great deal of stress since the attack on Miss Granger. She is under a lot of pressure to keep you all safe while you remain at Hogwarts, considering she is your Head of House." Harry nodded, not wanting to pursue the subject any further.
"Goodnight, Professor."
"Goodnight, Mr. Potter." Harry left the room, leaving Albus to wonder how many others had noticed a change in Minerva. He went to the bedroom and found her fast asleep. Not having the heart to wake her, he climbed under the covers next to her and put his arms tightly around her. He was determined to keep his family and his students safe, no matter what the cost.