First of all, I would like to apologize for the LONG wait for this chapter. I am afraid that college has taken over my life right now! Sorry L But, I had a chance to get this chapter finished after getting all my homework done, so hopefully, the next wait won't be as long. Also, thank you SO MUCH for all the wonderful comments that you have given and all the encouraging reviews! I really appreciate them! So, here's the next chapter…hope I haven't lost my touch!
The Order members hurried into the castle and towards the dungeons. The staff was on alert and were counting all the students to make sure no one was missing. By the time they reached the dungeon entrance, Albus, Harry, and Ron were gone.
Hermione walked close to Minerva, her wand stretched out in front of her, ready to be used. Minerva's wand was also at the ready, but her face showed no sign of fear, as Hermione's did. Minerva's face was set, ready for what she was about to encounter. She knew that this was the man she feared most, maybe more so than Voldemort himself. Stopping outside the door, Hermione turned to her favorite Professor.
"They will come, right Professor?" Minerva smiled sympathetically.
"Yes, Hermione, they will be right behind us. Are you ready for this?" Hermione nodded and waited for Minerva to speak the countercurse to the locking spell. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. This was it.
The door swung open, revealing one cloaked figure. It turned slowly in their direction.
"I'm glad to see you two ladies have decided to pay me another visit. Unfortunately, I am not alone this time." Two more cloaked figures appeared from behind the door and grabbed Minerva and Hermione, forcing them inside the room. They took off their hoods and Minerva was not at all surprised to see Crabbe and Goyle, the fathers of Hermione's classmates. Lucius also took his hood off and stepped towards Minerva.
"It has been a long time, hasn't it my dear?" He reached out to touch her face but her catlike reactions were too quick.
"Stupefy!" Lucius was sent to the floor and Crabbe grabbed Minerva quickly to prevent her from doing any more damage. After a few moments, Lucius recovered after Goyle spoke a countercurse. He stood, anger radiating from his eyes.
"Crabbe, Goyle, take the girl and move outside! You know what to do, so do it now!" Goyle, who had been holding Hermione, moved her, kicking and screaming into the corridor. Minerva tried to stop them but Lucius quickly called her wand from her. She was left defenseless as Crabbe closed the door behind him. She turned to face her attacker, praying Albus was on his way.
Albus was indeed on his way, as well as Harry and Ron, all still cloaked and invisible. They were almost to the door when Crabbe, Goyle, and Hermione came out of the room. Albus stopped, as did Harry and Ron, all shocked to see Hermione held so tightly.
"I can't wait until they get here. We're gonna make them pay! They'll never know what's coming!" Crabbe laughed at his own statement as did Goyle. Hermione scowled and kept trying to get away. Albus moved behind Crabbe and Harry and Ron moved into position in front of the two men. Never did the two deatheaters expect to be ambushed by those they could not see. They were quickly bound on the floor, Hermione free from their grasp. She knew who was there and didn't need to ask questions as they headed for the door. From inside they could hear Minerva demanding Lucius to let her go.
"Get off of me! I mean it!"
"I don't think so. I let you alone for a long time...now I want you back! Not only for me, ...but for Voldemort as well!"
The door flew open revealing Hermione.
"What is going on?!" Lucius was furious to see his two companions on the floor.
"I believe that your time is up Mr. Malfoy. Now let Professor McGonagall go!" Hermione kept a firm grip on her wand and stared him down.
"You could never take me down, mudblood!" Ron's anger boiled over and he threw off the invisibility cloak, revealing himself and Harry. "Oh, well, look who we have here. Your two companions..one of the lowly Weasleys and oh wait, what does Draco call you, Potter? Oh yes, scarhead! And just what do you two think you're going to be able to do to me?"
"You have no idea, Mr. Malfoy. Now, let Professor McGonagall go!" Harry's face was red with anger.
"Well, I believe we'll have to put a stop to your high and mighty acts of courage." He raised his wand to cast a spell when Arthur, Moody, and Remus ran into the room. Lucius backed away, Minerva still squeezed tightly against him.
"Going somewhere Malfoy? You tend to forget that one cannot get out of this room without help. That is why you chose the room. And it seems that your help is tied up right now." Moody laughed at his own joke but the other two Order members were surveying the scene in front of them. Arthur leaned over to Ron and whispered in his ear.
"Where is Professor Dumbledore?" Ron just shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to give away his Headmaster's Invisibility.
"You all need to get out of here before I kill her." Lucius pointed his wand at Minerva. She did not dare let her defenses down. She knew he would never hurt her. He needed to bring her back to Voldemort or he himself would be killed.
"Don't touch her! She hasn't done anything to you!" Ron took a step forward but Arthur pulled him back.
"Oh, how little you children know. If you only knew what happened in these dungeons all those years ago you would know what she did. You would know just how much of a whore she really is." Suddenly, Lucius dropped Minerva to the ground and put his hands to his neck, as if trying to pry off someone, an invisible someone. The members of the Order had no clue it was Albus and thought it may have been Voldemort. He was known for killing those who did not finish their jobs. They were about the fire at the invisible presence when Harry stopped them.
"No, don't. It's alright." Lucius, being younger and having quite a bit of strength, finally loosened himself for Albus' grip.
"Who is there? Who is it?" Before Albus had a chance to reveal himself, Malfoy was gone. In turning around, those remaining saw that both Crabbe and Goyle were gone as well.
"I believe Voldemort has taken them. He was not pleased that they have not finished their task." Albus' calm voice surprised the members of the Order as he revealed himself standing next to Minerva. He helped her stand and steady herself. "I believe that we all should be going back to inform the staff, Molly, and Mr. Longbottom of what has occured."
He led the way out of the dungeons, Minerva's arm tucked in his. None of the students thought anything of this as they had seen the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress like this many times before. But Albus was worried for Minerva. Lucius had no doubt scared her with his threats and had exhausted her by making her fight against him. He patted her hand quickly and then went back to walking. She squeezed his arm gently and let him lead her away from the dungeons, away from her fears.
"Do you think they're gone now...that they won't come back again?" Molly asked hopefully.
"I believe that these particular Death Eaters will not be back. Voldemort will not be happy that their task was not completed," Albus replied. However, he did know that this was not over. Voldemort would not rest until Minerva was back with him. "Now, I think that we can discuss everything at the meeting tomorrow night. It has been a long day and I believe a good night's sleep is in order for everyone."
They all agreed, the Order members heading back to Grimmauld Place. Harry, Hermoine, and Ron were led back to Gryffindor Tower by Poppy who, along with the other staff, were making their way to their chambers. Albus walked Minerva to her chambers, knowing that he had a lot of work to do that night.
"I will come and check on you as soon as I can," he said, looking around to make sure no one saw them.
"I know you have work to do. You don't have to come back." Minerva looked down, trying to hide the fear in her eyes. He lifted her chin so she looked into those comforting eyes that had always helped her through the most difficult of times.
"I will be back, Minerva. Please, get some rest. We will talk in the morning." She nodded as he kissed her gently. Their fingers lingered letting go for a few seconds before she headed into her chambers for the night. The door closed behind her and she breathed in deeply. The tears that she had held in came flowing down her cheeks freely. She could not get the feeling that he was always there, breathing down her neck, touching her...She hurried into the bathroom, throwing up and gagging until nothing was left in her stomach. She turned on the hot water and sank under the water, wishing the pain and bad memories away.
Albus paced in his office, Fawkes watching him closely. He never wanted to hear Lucius Malfoy's name again. He was afraid that if he did, he would strangle the person who said. Seeing the Deatheater holding his wife against her will angered him to the greatest extent. He slammed his hands on his desk, shouting, "Why?!?!" Fawkes silently flew over and sat on the old man's shoulder, rubbing his head against Albus' cheek. Albus sank into his chair, feeling twenty years older than he was and more helpless than ever before.
The next morning, Hermione awoke exhausted after a horrible night's sleep. She couldn't get the thought of Lucius Malfoy out of her mind. She was still extremely scared, not knowing whether or not he would come back to get her. She got up and dressed for the day. Walking down into the common room, she saw Harry and Ron waiting for her.
"Didn't sleep well last night?" Ron asked. Hermione simply shook her head. He put his arm around her and she sighed.
"I don't know how to get the thoughts out of my mind." Harry stood up and came over to the two of them.
"How about we ask Professor Dumbledore if he can have Professor Snape make up a potion to help you sleep tonight?" Hermione shook her head but Ron tightened his hold on her.
"Hermione, you need to sleep. Harry's right. He and I will ask Professor Dumbledore this afternoon." Hermione knew she couldn't argue so she reluctantly agreed.
"Thank you. We should go to breakfast. We don't want to be late for classes."
"I don't think we would be in trouble if we were a little late today."
"Ronald Weasley! We cannot be late!" And at that, she marched right out of the common room, followed by a smiling Ron and Harry.
"Well, at least the old Hermione's back for awhile," Harry said.
Albus had alerted the other professors about the attack last night, making sure they were all looking out for any suspicious behavior. The entire head table seemed to be on edge, looking as if they had not slept at all the night before. The trio sat down next to Neville at their table.
"Alright Neville?" Harry asked. Neville turned from looking at the head table to his three friends.
"Look at all the professors. They look really upset."
"Professor Dumbledore probably just told them about what happened last night," Ron surmised.
"Yea...I guess. I've just never seen Professor Dumbledore look so old." Neville stopped talking as he helped himself to the food that had now appeared on the table. Hermione studied each professor's face carefully, trying to come up with a conclusion as to why they all looked so upset.
"Professor Dumbledore...he looks so defeated."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Well, I mean, he's just always seemed to have a hold on everything. But after last night, it seems that he's tired, not his usual self. Like Malfoy won...but he didn't...I don't understand it."
Harry put down his fork and made his own conclusion. "Maybe it's because he knows that it's not over yet. He knows that there will be other deatheaters."
"Or maybe it's because of Professor McGonagall," Ron said. Hermione's eyes widened and she turned to him.
"What do you mean? Do you know something Ron Weasley?"
"Hermione! Calm down! I...I was just saying that because they're such good friends. I mean, you've seen how they both always come over to meetings together and stuff at Grimmauld Place. I didn't mean anything Hermione. I don't know a thing!" He gulped as she sat back, a look of anger on her face.
"I think you know something Ron."
"Hermione, he doesn't. Because if he did, he would tell me, right Ron?" Harry asked. Ron nodded his head fervently.
"Harry's right. I would tell him right away." Hermione sighed and then went back to pushing her food around her plate. Albus had been looking down at the trio and Neville, trying to see if they were alright after the night before. He leaned over to Minerva and whispered in her ear.
"Do you think you would be up to a meeting tonight?"
Minerva looked at him and saw the pain in his eyes. "Where?"
"Grimmauld Place. The children must come with us."
"Albus...but they don't need to know anything else. Why do they have to come?"
"Minerva, they need to know what to do in case something should happen to me."
"Albus, what are you talking about?" She asked as she turned in her chair to face him directly.
"I will explain more later. Please, just tell Harry, Ron, Neville, and Hermione to meet in my office tonight after dinner."
"Who will stay to guard the castle?"
"I have already asked that all professors stay on alert tomorrow night."
"But...." Albus reached over and put his hand on her arm.
"Trust me, Minerva. This is for the best." She nodded and turned back around, still worried about what this meeting would be about. The children began heading towards their classrooms as the professors stood up to leave. Albus stood up and helped Minerva out of her chair. She held on to the table for support and then straightened after regaining her balance.
"Are you alright Minerva?"
She looked at him and smiled as best she could. "Perfectly fine." Before she left, she whispered, "See you tonight." After all the professors and students were out of the Great Hall, Albus sat back down in his seat. He looked around and made a vow to himself....a vow to keep Hogwarts and its inhabitants safe, no matter what the cost.
In the Transfiguration classroom, Ron rubbed his forehead, trying to remember the spell for changing an animal into a statue. He looked over and saw Hermione looking relaxed, her hands folded neatly over her test paper. Sometimes he really did wish he had her brain. Ron turned his head in the other direction and saw Harry writing something down. If only he could remember this spell, he would pass the test for sure.
"Time's up. Please bring your papers to the front and make sure you get the homework assignment before you leave." Ron hung his head in defeat as he stood up and got behind Harry in line.
"How'd you do, Ron?"
"Don't ask. You?"
"I never know." Hermione got in line behind Ron.
"That wasn't so bad, was it Ron?" Ron turned around and frowned at her.
"Not for you, maybe."
"Well, if you would do your homework once in awhile, you may not have had such a problem with the test." Knowing he couldn't argue, Ron turned back around as Harry reached Minerva's desk.
"Mr. Potter...I would like you, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger to stay after class for a few moments. You may wait over there." The three looked where she pointed and saw Neville sitting on the right side of the room. They joined him after handing in their tests and waited for the classroom to empty. Minerva gestured for them to come over and stand in front of her desk.
"How are you four holding up?"
"We're fine, Professor," Harry answered for the group.
"Good. I would like all of you to meet in Professor Dumbledore's office after dinner tonight. Mr. Potter, I believe you know the password."
"Uh...yes, I do."
"What for, Professor?" Neville asked.
"There is a meeting tonight and Professor Dumbledore has asked that all of you be in attendance."
All four looked at each other, questions in their eyes.
"What is the meeting about?" Harry asked. Minerva sighed.
"Unfortunatley, I know as little about it as the four of you. It will be held at Grimmauld Place...so try and get your work done before we leave. It could be a long night." They all noted the exhaustion in their usually alert Professor's eyes. "So I expect to see you at 7 o'clock sharp, is that understood?"
"Yes, Professor," they said in unison. The four walked out of the classroom, Ron closing the door behind them.
"I wonder what it could be about. I wonder if my Mom and Dad will be there."
"I'm sure they will be Ron, along with the rest of the Order members," Harry said.
"Harry, do you think that Professor Lupin will answer some questions for me?" Hermione asked.
"I don't see why he wouldn't. What are the questions about?"
"Oh...nothing. Just some hunches I've been having." She turned and walked away, the three boys lagging behind.
"What do you think she knows?" Neville asked.
"With Hermione, one never knows," Ron answered.