My apologies for messing up the time line. Obviously, if the trio is in their 6th year, then Minerva would have been captured 15 years ago, when Lily and James were killed. Sorry for the stupid mistake! Thank you for noticing! And again, thanks for all the reviews...now, on with the story!
Severus continued to pound his head against the wall, trying to knock out an answer of how to get through the barrier to the other side. All of a sudden the bricks began to move. He stepped back and sighed in relief as Minerva stepped through the opening. But, his relief was shortlived. He saw her waver and then crumple to the ground, just reaching to catch her before she hit her head on the concrete floor.
"Minerva? Minerva! Wake up!"
Harry, Hermione, and Ron ran to catch up with Poppy's quick steps. They reached the Great Hall and were relieved to see the Order members. Molly hugged all of them, happy to see that they were all fine and unharmed. Remus and Alastor stepped through the crowd of adults to address and question the students.
"We are glad to see that you three are alright," said Alastor.
"Yes, we are. But need to know exactly what happened today. All Professor McGonagall said in her owl to us was that you three informed her about an upcoming Death Eater attack. So...start from the beginning." Remus allowed the trio to take over the conversation, each filling in details the others might have missed. They finished their explanation and Remus patted Hermione on the shoulder.
"Everything will be alright. The castle is going to be guarded until Professor Dumbledore returns." The students smiled. They were glad that the Order had taken over guarding the castle. They felt safer knowing that the members were there to help. The remaining staff, those not guarding the entrances and the members of the Order all sat down at one of the table, along with the trio, to try and come up with a plan of attack, in case the Death Eaters did decide to storm the castle that night.
Hermione looked down the table and noticed two important figures missing.
"Harry, where are Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape? Shouldn't they be here?" Harry and Ron both looked down the table as well.
Shrugging, Harry replied, "I don't know. Maybe they're checking other parts of the castle or keeping guard."
A few seconds later, the doors to the Great Hall burst open, revealing a very out of breath Severus and an unconscious Minerva in his arms.
"Madam Pomfrey!" Poppy was already out of her seat and running towards the pair. Everyone at the table got up and formed a circle around the three figures. Severus gently laid Minerva on the ground, allowing Poppy to check her vitals. Minerva had a steady pulse but her breathing was ragid.
"We'd better get her to the Hospital Wing. Severus, can you...?" But Severus had already picked up Minerva, waiting for Poppy's instuctions. "Good. Molly, would you mind coming along? Everyone else, when Professor Dumbledore arrives, please send him to the infirmary. I need to speak with him." And with that, Poppy, Molly, and Severus, carrying the unconscious Minerva, rushed out the door.
"Two more hours...two more and I will finally be able to get some sleep!" Albus thought. The meeting was pointless, just Fudge trying to make some rules that would "ensure the safety of our world," in his own words. In Albus' mind, the rules were just a "stupid way to ensure Fudge gets re-elected!"
A noise startled Albus back to the present circumstances as he saw Fawkes sitting on the windowsill. He rushed over and opened the window, allowing Fawkes on to his arm. Fudge and the rest of the attendees watched Albus closely. They saw his face change from one of confusion to one of anger. He folded up the note quickly and tucked it in his robes. He looked up and saw everyone eyeing him.
"I am afraid that some urgent business at Hogwarts requires my attention. If you will excuse me..." He took a portkey out of his pocket and was gone in a flash, arriving at the Gates of the castle. He hurried as fast as he could, Fawkes still on his arm to the front door. There, he found Hagrid, keeping watch.
"Professor Dumbledore!"
"Hagrid. Have you found anything?"
"No sir. Jus' was tol' to watch the door an' that's wha' I'm doin" Albus smiled.
"Thank you Hagrid. I'm sure all of Hogwarts will be safe with you keeping guard." With that, he brushed past Hagrid into the castle. He made his way to the Great Hall, Fawkes having flown to his office. He hoped to find Minerva and make sure she and the rest of the staff and students were alright. He burst through the doors, only to find the people inside worried and distraught. At the sight of the Headmaster, everyone rose to their feet, rushing towards him.
"Is everyone accounted for?" Professor Flitwick nodded.
"Yes, Headmaster. All students are in their common rooms."
"Very good. And no sign of an attack?""Not yet, Albus. We have people guarding all entrances and have a plan in case of an attack," Arthur answered.
"Good, very good." It was then that he noticed Ron, Harry, and Hermione. Both boys had their arms around Hermione, whose eyes were red from crying. "I believe it is past all of your curfews. Professor Sprout, would you kindly escort these three back to Gryffindor Tower?" She quickly agreed and ushered the three students out of the hall. It was only then that he let his worry show. Turning back to the group standing in front of him, he took note of all their sad, downcast eyes.
"Where is Minerva?"
The doors to the infirmary swung open as Albus quickly made his way toward Poppy and the bed where his wife lay. Severus was standing near the two women, occasionally looking around to make sure everything was safe. Poppy heard the doors open and turned to see Albus hurrying towards them. She stepped away from Minerva's bed and put her hands on Albus' shoulders to stop him.
"Albus...she's fine, just exhausted from the ordeal."
"What ordeal? What happened?" he asked, looking directly at Severus.
"We searched the dungeons. I had no idea that she went down the corridor...well, you know which one. I didn't know how to get through the barrier she had gone through. When she came back, she collapsed. That's all I know. She didn't say anything." Albus nodded and sat down on the edge of Minerva's bed, taking her hand in his.
"Will she be alright, Poppy?"
"Yes, after a few days rest."
"And the baby?"
"Healthy." Albus let out the breath he had been holding in, relieved that his family was safe.
"Was everything else alright in the dungeons, Severus?"
"Yes, Headmaster. All the corridors were normal."
"Good. I suggest that you get some sleep. I believe they had come up with a schedule for those keeping guard over the castle."
"Yes, Headmaster." He went to leave but Albus' voice stopped him.
"Severus?" The Potions teacher turned to look at the elder wizard. Albus looked him directly in the eye.
"Thank you for taking care of her." Snape nodded and quickly hurried out the door, feeling as though he hadn't done enough.
Molly quietly came up behind Albus and put her hands on his shoulders. Startled, he turned to look at her.
"Ah, Molly. Everything alright?"
"Yes, Albus, for me. But, not for you. Come now, you're exhausted. I'm due at the front door with Arthur in a few minutes. Why don't you come with me and then you can get some rest in your own bed? Minerva wouldn't want you sitting up here all night. Come on..." She pried him away from Minerva's bedside, only after he whispered that he would be back soon. He cast one more glance back at her as Molly led him out of the infirmary.
"Albus, she will be just fine. She's very strong."
"Yes, of that, I have no doubt. But, this entire situation has affected her deeply." Molly nodded.
"I know. She's also worried about becoming a mother." Albus stopped and touched Molly's arm.
"She is?"
"Well, I mean...every woman who is expecting gets nervous, Albus. It's normal."
"But, she said she was nervous? That is not like Minerva."
"She didn't actually "say it." I could just tell. She's not as calm and collectd as she usually is. And she said she may need my help when the baby comes."
"That is definitely not like Minerva." He looked deep in thought but Molly patted his shoulder.
"Albus, I didn't mean to worry you. Just know that Minerva is nervous about the baby because she's not used to this. No spell book can tell you how to be a mother. She'll be fine, Albus. I promise."
"I guess you're right. You have been through this before." Molly smiled.
"Yes, I have. And I'm sure if you have any questions, Arthur will be pleased to answer them."
"Thank you Molly." They continued walking towards Albus' office. He said goodnight to Molly and then fell asleep for a few short hours.
Waking up the next morning, Minerva did not recognize her surroundings, until a familiar voice sounded in her ear.
"I see our sleeping beauty is awake." Minerva's confused look turned to one of anger.
"Poppy...."
"No, I don't want to hear it. You passed out last night and that is why you are here."
"Well, I am fine now. Thank you for whatever you did last night." She went to get up but Poppy gently pushed her back on to the pillows.
"I think not, Minerva. Albus will be stopping by after breakfast to collect you. At that time, you are going to report to your chambers and stay in bed for a week."
"A week?! You must be mad! I can't stay in bed for a week!" Poppy's voice turned very stern, almost as demanding as Minerva's.
"You can and you will! Minerva, whatever happened in the dungeons was not good for you or the baby. Plus, you're completely exhausted. I threatened bedrest before and you know I follow through on all my threats. Min, you need to get your rest. If you don't, I'm afraid the baby may come too early." Minerva's face softened as a lump of fear began to rise in her throat.
"What do you mean?"
"By the time Albus arrived last night, you were fine, just tired. The baby is healthy as well. But, when Severus brought you in, you and the baby were both in danger. Something in the dungeons happened that caused you to pass out and the baby to go into distress. To make sure that doesn't happen again, it's bedrest for a week, no questions asked!" Minerva reluctantly gave in. She sank into the pillows, still tired from the night before. Poppy looked at her, worried for her well-being. She sat down next to her friend and took her hand.
"Min, what happened? What happened in the dungeons last night?" Minerva shook her head, not wanting to remember. "Come now, Min. You have to tell somebody." Silence. And then, finally, Minerva decided to confide in her friend.
"Well, I went through the barrier, just to make sure the other rooms were alright. Everything was fine. I got to the last room, the room where I was taken. Albus had replaced the door and put a very powerful locking spell on it. He let me in on the countercurse, in the case that he would be gone and an attack occurred. I opened the door, to check the room. Everything looked normal, but I felt...well, I don't know what I felt. There is a very powerful evil surrounding the room. It seemed as if it was closing in on me. I quickly got out and relocked the door. I still did not feel right. I ran back to the fireplace and after seeing Severus...well, that's all I remember." Poppy patted Minerva's hand.
"It's alright, Min. I'm sure that Albus will make sure everything is fine. You just need your rest for now and everything else will work out for the best." Minerva looked at her with tears in her eyes.
"I hope you're right."
One week later the Order members were gone and the staff had resumed a normal schedule. Hermione, Ron, and Harry all recovered from the week before, still wondering what had happened to Professor McGonagall. Professor Dumbledore had announced that after an accident while patrolling the school, she needed some rest to regain her strength. The trio did not believe him.
"I don't know. It just doesn't seem like McGonagall to take a week off. I mean, she hasn't had a day off since we've been coming to Hogwarts, except when she was in St. Mungo's." Harry and Hermione had to agree.
"Maybe we could go visit her today. Professor Dumbledore said she'll be teaching tomorrow."
"Hermione, we have classes all day today," Ron said.
"I know. But, maybe we could. Professor Dumbledore seems to visit her a lot, to make sure she's alright. Maybe he could use a break."
"We'll ask Hermione, but don't expect anything. He may say no," Harry said.
"I know, I know."
After lunch, Albus walked into Minerva's chambers. She was still in bed, following Poppy's orders, but was not resting.
"Minerva, if Madam Pomfrey walked in here, she would hex you faster than you can say Quidditch." Minerva looked up and smiled.
"I have to do something. I can't just sit here and stare at the wall." Albus walked over and sat next to her. He took the quill and stack of quizzes out of her hands.
"No more today. You need to rest. If you are insisting on teaching tomorrow, I want you to sleep the rest of this afternoon."
"But..."
"No buts, Minerva. Come now, back to sleep." He helped her lay down on the pillows. Kissing her softly, he went to leave but she called him back.
"Albus..."
"Yes?"
"How are Harry, Ron, and Hermione?"
"They are fine Minerva. Now go to sleep."
"You're sure they're alright? They don't always say everything that's bothering them."
"I am sure Minerva." He walked back over and gathered her in his arms. He knew how much she worried about her Gryffindor's. "Everything is fine. Are you feeling alright?"
She nodded. "My back just aches some, but that is normal these days." Albus smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Well, how much longer are you going to stall?" Minerva laughed.
"As long as possible. But, it seems my husband has found me out."
She again laid down and Albus left quietly as she fell asleep. He opened the door to her chambers to leave, only to find the trio standing outside her door.
"Professor Dumbledore!"
"Miss Granger, gentleman. Can I help you?"
"We were wondering if we could see Professor McGonagall." Harry asked nervously.
"I am afraid that Professor McGonagall just fell asleep. She has been working too hard, even when she has been told to rest. However, I am sure that she would love a visit from you three. She has been asking about you. After dinner, meet me here. Then we will see if she is feeling up to visitors." Hermione's face brightened.
"Thank you, Professor." The trio hurried to their next class and Albus walked slowly back to his office. He was tired. All of the stress of the past few weeks was starting to catch up with him. He figured a nap for himself wouldn't be such a bad idea. Thoughts of Minerva, the baby, and Voldemort swirled through his mind as he drifted to sleep.