Almost four hours later, a knock sounded at Minerva's door. She shook herself awake.
"Come in." Albus walked in and smiled at her.
"I see you took my advice and slept."
"Did I have any other choice?" He sat down on the edge of the bed and kissed her cheek.
"No. Would you like to freshen up a bit? You have some visitors coming soon."
"Visitors? Who?"
"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Weasley. Do you think you'll be able to handle them?" Minerva's face lit up.
"Of course I will! I have been worried about them."
"I know. Your motherly instincts must be beginning a little early." He placed a hand on her stomach and smiled at the little ball it had begun to turn into. "And how is our baby doing after its nap?" Minerva placed her hand over Albus'.
"Just fine. Now, when are they coming?"
"Very soon. I shall go wait for them and you can get ready. But, you are staying in bed. No getting up until Madam Pomfrey examines you tomorrow morning before breakfast." Minerva sighed and silently agreed as Albus left the room. She didn't want him to send the trio away. She really did want to make sure they were alright. She had missed caring for her lions the past week. Albus was right...her motherly instincts were kicking in.
Outside of Minerva's chambers, the trio hurried towards Albus who was waiting outside.
"Good evening." They all returned his greeting. "Professor McGonagall should be ready to see you now. After I let you in, you may go to her bedroom. It is the door to the right of her desk. I must ask that you not stay late. If Madam Pomfrey knew I had let you in to visit, she would hex me into next week." The trio laughed.
"Thank you for letting us in, Professor Dumbledore. We all really miss Professor McGonagall," Hermione said.
"Not a problem, Miss Granger. I will be here to walk you back to Gryffindor Tower in say... a half hour?" They all agreed and walked inside after he opened the door. He closed it behind them and they took in their surroundings. Their Transfiguration teacher's office was very organized, with everything in its rightful place. They smiled at each other, not having expected it to look any other way. They walked to the bedroom door. Ron cautiously knocked and then smiled as he heard the familiar voice of Professor McGonagall.
"Come in." The three walked in and were shocked at Minerva's appearance. She was very pale, with dark circles under her eyes. In the big bed, she looked so small which was unlike her normal appearance. "And how are you three?" They were all snapped back into reality as they moved closer.
"We're fine, Professor. And how are you?"
"Fine, just fine. Unfortunately, Madam Pomfrey thinks differently. Please, have a seat." She conjured up three chairs and they all sat down. "Now, do tell me what has been going on while I've been away." The three quickly relayed the events of the past week....How Neville messed up once again in Potions class, Hagrid's octatodules getting out and chasing Malfoy, Filch yelling at everyone in sight because someone had left a Muggle stink bomb in the boys' bathroom...
After laughing and talking for almost a half hour, the three gained a new respect for their strict Transfiguration teacher. She seemed different, not as stern as she was during class. Ron looked at his watch.
"Hey, we have to go meet Professor Dumbledore." The three stood up and looked back at their Transfiguartion teacher. They knew they would probably never see her like this again. She was covered up, wearing a tartan bathrobe, something she would never wear in a public place. She smiled at them.
"Thank you for coming. You have really lifted my spirits. Go on now. We wouldn't want Professor Dumbledore to get angry." The three left after saying goodbye and Minerva sank back into the pillows. She didn't know how much simply chatting would take out of her.
Albus met the trio outside of Minerva's chambers, as he had promised. He walked them back to Gryffindor Tower, noting their silence. They reached the portrait but he stopped them before going in.
"Is everything alright?"
"Professor...is Professor McGonagall going to be alright?" Hermione asked, worried.
"Of course she is. Why do you ask?"
"Well, Professor, she seemed really sick tonight," Ron replied. Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement. Albus studied them carefully and knew they were telling nothing but the truth.
"I see. Well, I'm sure she'll be fine. She is a very strong witch, one who is not to be reckoned with. And I'm sure she was just tired. She has been stuck in bed all week so she hasn't been able to get up and around. Her appearance is probably related to her lack of energy. Please, do not worry. Tomorrow, she will be back to her normal self, I can guarantee it." The three nodded, said goodnight, and walked into the common room.
"You think he's right? She'll be ok tomorrow?" Harry and Ron looked at each other and then back at Hermione.
"Who knows," Ron said. "All we can do is hope."
Minerva smiled when she woke the next morning. She was allowed to get out of bed! Well, as long as Poppy said so. Albus was in her chambers, which had become normal for him every morning since the night in the dungeons. He helped her out of bed and into a warm, soothing bath. He got her robes ready, still unsure if she was ready to go back to teaching. He left the robes in the bathroom and then went to wait for Poppy.
She arrived fifteen minutes later.
"How is she, Albus?"
"Better than at the beginning of the week. It seems that she is very weak still. That is what worries me."
"Well, I'll make sure she's alright. And I'll be sure I tell her to not push herself today."
"Thank you."
"Albus, you can come in." Hearing Minerva's call, he walked into the bedroom, followed closely by Poppy.
"How are you feeling, Minerva?" Poppy asked.
"I'm fine, Poppy. I told you that two days ago."
"Alright, well, let me examine you. Then we'll see if you can go back to teaching today. Albus, it'll only take a few minutes." Albus nodded and stepped outside. Poppy found him sitting in an armchair ten minutes later.
"She's healthy enough to go back to teaching. She's going to be tired tonight, but if she takes it slow, she'll be fine."
"Unfortunately, you and I both know my wife and we both know she will not go slow." Poppy had to agree.
"Well, I've warned her. But, she is who she is. I'll make sure and check in with her this afternoon."
"Thank you, Poppy...for everything."
"My pleasure. See you at breakfast." She left the room and Albus headed into the bedroom. Minerva was waiting for him.
"You see, I told you I was alright."
"Yes, that is what Poppy said. But she also told me that she reminded you to take it slow today. And I believe you had better listen to her advice." He helped her up and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"Well..we'll see. Come on now, I miss seeing the students every morning. Let's go to breakfast." He linked her arm through his and they set out for the Great Hall.
"Arthur, it's an owl from Albus." Molly Weasley handed the letter to her husband. They were in Grimmauld Place, working on more plans for their defense against the Death Eaters. Arthur quickly read the letter and then smiled.
"Everything is fine, Molly. Albus says everything is normal at Hogwarts." Molly let out a deep breath.
"I was afraid that something else had happened."
"I don't see why you would think that, Molly. Albus has everyone on alert all the time. Hogwarts is more guarded than we are here," Alastor said.
"Well, I was just worried. I hadn't expected Albus to send a letter this week."
"He had good reason, dear. It seems Gryffindor has won the Quidditch Cup!" There was great rejoicing throughout Grimmauld Place.
There was also great rejoicing in the common room of Gryffindor Tower. The students were celebrating Gryffindor's 200 to 50 win over Hufflepuff.
"And did you see that one save I made, Hermione? When they tried to come at me from both sides?" Hermione had to smile at Ron's enthusiasm. She hadn't seen him smile like this since they got back from Christmas break and now it was April.
"Yes, Ron. It was a wonderful save." Ron's smile grew wider. Noticing many others doing the same, he leaned over and kissed Hermione on the cheek.
"Thanks." Hermione blushed and looked down.
"You're welcome," she said quietly. Looking around, she couldn't find Harry. "Ron, where's Harry? I haven't seen him since the match."
"Me either. I wonder where he is." Neither would find him for he was running at full speed down the hall.
"Lemon drop!" The gargoyle turned, revealing the steps that led to Albus' office. He pounded on the door, yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Professor Dumbledore! Professor! Please, are you there? Professor! It's Harry!" The door swung open.
"Harry, what is it? What is wrong?" Harry quickly moved into the room and shut the door behind him. He turned and was surprised to see Minerva sitting on the couch, a worried expression on her face. "Harry?"
Harry looked away from Minerva and back at Albus. "It's my scar. It's burning. I think they're here." Minerva stood up and walked over to the two.
"Harry, we have checked the castle thoroughly tonight because of the Quidditch match. Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. I was walking into the castle after cleaning up some things in the changing room. I walked past Malfoy on my way back and it started burning." Minerva instinctively grabbed on to Albus' arm at the mention of Malfoy's name. Albus looked at her nervously. Things had been going well the past two months. He didn't want this to cause a setback in her and the baby's health.
"Harry, we will move into action right now. I need you to go and get Ron, Hermione, and Neville quickly. I will alert the members of the Order and we will meet at the entrance to the dungeons in ten minutes. Tell Neville it is not nessecary for him to send a note. I want him to wait in the Great Hall with Madam Pomfrey for the members of the Order. Tell him to run to the infirmary and find her. Do not forget your Invisibility Cloak. I am sure the Death Eaters will not come out until Professor McGonagall and Hermione make their way to the room. Tell Hermione to come here. She and Professor McGonagall will be making their way to the dungeons once we are in place. Hurry Harry!" Harry nodded and ran out of the room, back towards Gryffindor Tower.
Albus turned to Minerva who had already begun writing a letter to the Order members. She sent it quickly with Fawkes who flew out the window at full speed. She turned around and was in Albus' arms.
"I want you to be careful, Minerva."
"I want the same from you, Albus." She looked up into his eyes. "Promise me?"
"I promise. And you do the same." She nodded. "Good. I won't let anything happen to you. I love you, my Tabby."
"I love you too." He kissed her deeply, not wanting the moment to end. They broke, knowing the task at hand and walked to the door. Albus hugged her once again, smiling. The ball her stomach had grown into would not allow him to get too close to her.
"You take care of my child in there."
"I'll guard it with my life." He kissed her softly and was out the door, headed for the dungeons. He passed Hermione in the hall who was running at full speed towards his office. Minerva caught her by the shoulders to stop her.
"Miss Granger...are you ready for this?" Hermione nodded, still trying to regain her breath.
"Yes..Professor. Do you think it will work?"
"I know it will. It is time we put a stop to this. Let's go. And remember, stay close to me. I don't want to lose sight of you."
"Yes Professor." Minerva closed the door to Albus' office and as they descended the steps, silence came between the two witches. They knew the task at hand was very important and very dangerous. Neither wanted to make a mistake and put others in danger. They walked close together, hands near their wands. Slowing their steps, they reached the dungeons. Knowing that Ron and Harry were under the invisibility cloak, Hermione smiled before entering through the door. Minerva felt a hand brush against hers and knew it was Albus. He had placed an Invisibility charm on himself. She squeezed his hand and walked through, following Hermione.
The men waited in silence, worried about what they had to do next and the women who had just gone to the dungeons.