The three students sat silently as Albus Dumbledore began to exactly what was going on.
"You three are very perceptive, I must say. I do not know if I would have been able to figure out as much as you did at this point. Now, let me begin eleven years ago. Lucius Malfoy did attack Professor McGonagall that night, in the same room that Miss Granger was attacked in. Neville dreamed that there were two women being attacked and of course, they turned out to be yourself and Professor McGonagall, Hermione."
Hermione nodded in understanding as Albus went on.
"Lucius was never arrested or convicted. He got away that night and went back to a normal life. He, however, did not finish his task. That task was to bring Professor McGonagall to Voldemort's side."
"In order to get her away from you, Professor? So that you would be an easier target, right?" Harry asked.
Albus shook his head. "Not completely, Harry. You see, there was a little boy whom Voldemort could not defeat. And that little boy, was you. Voldemort fears me of course, yet he also fears you because he does not yet know how to defeat you. You see, Professor McGonagall is in the way of not just myself, but of you, Harry. She is your Head of House and almost a surrogate mother to you while you on Hogwarts grounds. But, Voldemort may not nessecarily want to get to you, Harry. You may be in the way of Professor McGonagall instead."
"I'm confused," Ron sighed.
"Ah, Mr. Weasley, it is a very confusing situation indeed. You see, eleven years ago, Lucius Malfoy was given a task. That task was to bring your Professor here to Voldemort. When the task was incomplete, Voldemort needed someone else to do the job. Dolores Umbridge fit perfectly. She was already working for the Ministry and Hogwarts needed a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. What good fortune for Voldemort. That night last year, Dolores was supposed to kill Professor McGonagall. Thankfully, she did not succeed."
"Ok, so Umbridge was supposed to kill Professor McGonagall because Malfoy didn't. But, why is Professor McGonagall involved in the first place? Why does Voldemort want her instead of me?" Harry asked.
"Harry, Voldemort knows that he needs to kill you. However, he knows how powerful Professor McGonagall is. He cannot kill you unless Professor McGonagall is either on his side, or worse, dead."
"But, he should know that Professor McGonagall would never willingly work for him!" Harry spat out.
"Yes, that is true. She would never work for him, unless she was forced to. You see, Harry, Voldemort has many capabilities that you are not yet aware of. He can make anyone follow his orders by taking over their mind and body. That is why you have had to practice Occlumency, Harry. We do not want Voldemort to possess your mind."
"I know," Harry mumbled, still bitter about what had happened the year before with Snape. Albus remained silent a moment, taking in the children's faces. Harry was looking down, Hermione had tears in her eyes, and Ron was looking...well, confused.
"Professor Dumbledore, is there more to the story? I mean, it doesn't make sense to me that Voldemort would want to take Professor McGonagall," Ron said truthfully.
Albus nodded. "Mr. Weasley, there is more to the story. But, this part of the story is not known to anyone but a few select members of the Order and staff. I believe I can trust you with this information, correct?"
All three heads nodded and their faces became very serious. They listened intently to everything Dumbledore was saying.
"Tom Riddle, Voldemort, was always after the prettiest girls while he was at Hogwarts. Your Professor here caught his eye. Unfortunately, she did not return his feelings. It has been his goal ever since then to capture her for his own...pleasure," Albus finished softly. He saw Minerva shift uneasily in her chair out of the corner of his eye. He cleared his throat and continued. "So you can see why it is imperative that we keep her safe."
"Professor, I know this is difficult, but we just want to understand. Is that what Lucius Malfoy did to you eleven years ago?" Hermione asked quietly.
All three Gryffindors never thought they would see their strict Transfiguration teacher turn white, but the color quickly faded out of her face. She looked up at the three students with wide eyes. She didn't know how to respond. There was no way she could lie to them. They would find out eventually. And, it would probably help them understand...She managed a nod before looking back down. Hermione's eyes flooded with tears for her Professor. Everyone knew that Professor McGonagall was her favorite professor...and now...well now, Voldemort had managed to hurt Professor McGonagall, and Hermione couldn't do anything about it.
"As you can see, this goes much deeper than anyone else knows," Albus said. "This information cannot be revealed to anyone. Along with the next piece of information I am about to give. The only other person you are allowed to tell is Mr. Longbottom. He will need to know as I will be putting the four of you in charge of watching out for the students and professors while Ms. Umbridge is still around. Is that understood?"
Three heads bobbed up and down once again. Albus looked at Minerva once again and then back at the Trio.
"If Voldemort ever found this out, I cannot tell you what his actions would be. They would be more severe than ever before. Harry, you would feel his anger through your scar...but this time, his anger would not cease until either Professor McGonagall or I were dead."
Three very serious faces turned very confused as Albus took a deep breath and continued. "You see, the most powerful witch and wizard of the age are joined by more than friendship. Professor McGonagall and I are married."