Disclaimer: I don't own anything, though I am sure that, given the chance, I would not want to, only because J.K. Rowling already does a magnificent job!

A/N: I know, I know, I am bad. Bad Mayleene! I am slapping my wrists as we speak. I should be working on my other stories, and I know it, but here's the deal. I'll work on this as much as possible, with updates every now and then to my other stories. You know, just to keep you guessing. The sooner I get this one done, the sooner I can devote to another story. I am going to try and finish all of these stories before I start another one. Deal? I hope. Anywho, here are your personal responses, and I hope that you like them, as well as the chapter itself. I promise, I shall explain more in this chapter!

DamesFan: Well, I hope that you are enjoying yourself in Norway. And I cannot tell you if Lenora is his daughter or not, that will come later. And I am glad you saw Roberta as the woman I am trying to portray her as. Here is the next chapter that you wanted.

Leta McGotot: Yes, too true, too true. Drunks AND little children always tell the truth. Yeah, Lenora acts in the sweet, innocent way that only little girls can. There's nothing like it in the world. Teehee, yes. Roberta is… indescribable, as in "not describable". Now, here is the next chapter, so you can see what happens.

Old-crow: I am glad that you find two good things about my story. And no, I would not want to finish this story in less than three thousand words, either. That wouldn't be too good. Too easy, is more like it. And I shall try to get around to reading your story, though I can't guarantee it. Hope you continue to read this story. Well, I hope I can live up to your expectations, anyway.

Emutet: I'm glad to hear that school is going well for you. I'm doing well enough, though I wish I could finish sooner. LOL! Such is the life of a collage student, LOL! And I'm glad that you are excited to see an update. I am excited whenever someone else is excited to see an update. It brings joy to my heart. WOOT! Yes, I shall explain more about Roberta and why she is so evile! LOL! Love you lots.

Alesia G: Yes, I agree that Roberta HAS GOT TO GO! Hehe, LOL! Here I am, in my own story, and I ask myself why she has to be such a bleepity bleep bleep bleep! Hehe, LOL! And as to Albus being Lenora's father… I shall turn my head and not tell you a word until it is time! (Zips up lips and smiles, turning head). And I am sure that Min's time with Sevvie is going to be quite… interesting indeed!

Mollisk: Ah, my favorite reviewer! I am so glad that you liked this chapter. Yes, Len and Roberta are great characters, and fun to write, as well. Besides, I promised you that I would add humor to my stories, and I keep my promises… especially to my favorite reviewers! WINK WINK! Hehe! And no, I can't tell you about the relationship between Albus and our dear Roberta! Not yet, anyway. And yes, you are my number one fan, which is very flattering. If I ever do become a famous writer, I'll be sure to include you when I talk about my very first number one fan! LOL! I suppose I don't care if I am a second grade teacher or an English teacher. But little children are so much fun, don't you think?

Lady Epur: Glad you like it. As for the horizontal mambo… I just like that phrase. I've heard it a few times, and I just liked it too much to leave it out. LOL! Read long and prosper!

East of the Sun: You should feel loved. You are a great reviewer, and great reviewers always have a special place in the hearts of reviewers… especially mine! LOL! You wanted to slap Roberta too? There seems to be a lot of people who wish to give her a great big slap across the face. LIKE ME! Hehe. I hope you don't have to spend too much time with those people who remind you of her. I'm glad you like this story, but I don't want you having to make yourself even more sick than you already are. Though I must say that that is the most flattered that I have been in a while! LOL! Thank you so much. You are now on my incredibly short list of favorite reviewers! Love you long time! Read long and prosper!

KaraLea: Here is the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing.

Joelpup62: Yeah, you and everybody else wanted to slap Roberta. LOL! Love you long time for reviewing.

Tinted Image: Yup. I love jealousy and meddling characters. They make the story so much more interesting. LOL! Read long and prosper!

SherbetKitty: Yeah, Roberta's a freak. No one can really blame Min for what she is feeling. And I cannot tell you about Roberta and Len. You're just going to find out about them just like everyone else… in the story.

Young Wiccan: I'm glad you liked the teacher's reactions. That was fun to write. And just so you know, the "horizontal mambo" is a term often used to describe sex. It's kinda like dancing on your backs. Something like that. So, that being said, on with the story.

Chapter Eight: He's Not So Bad…

From the moment Roberta had entered the Great Hall, Albus could sense the atmosphere change. He hated it when Roberta would visit, and only allowed her to because of Lenora. He had always had a soft spot for the small girl, whom he had grown to love over the past seven and a half years. He loved spending time with the small child. She made him feel full of life whenever she visited.

'If only Roberta did not have to come as well,' he thought as he stepped out of the ministry fireplace. He felt uncomfortable with her around. He knew she loved him. At least, that was what she tried to show to him through the way she acted when around him. She did it through small actions, such as cupping his cheek with her hand, placing small pecks on his cheeks, and always trying ever so slyly to snake her arms around his waist. Snake. That was the perfect way to describe her, actions and all. But no matter what he said, and no matter what he did, he could not convince her that he did not feel the same way towards her. He even went so far as to tell her that he was in love with someone else, though he did not tell her who it was. She practically went through the roof in a fit of jealousy, but didn't do anything about it. What could she do? She didn't know that he was in love with Minerva.

'Oh dear,' he thought as he headed for the room in which the meeting was to be held. 'What does Minerva think?' He didn't want the one and only woman he had ever loved to think that he was involved with another woman. That would just be too horrible. He only hoped that she didn't think anything of it. But then, the color drained from his face as he remembered the words from the night before.

'I suppose there was only one woman whom I have ever considered having a relationship with, and I've never told her.'

'Why not?'

'I've thought about it numerous times. I've even come close a few times. But each time I came close to telling her, I just lost my nerve completely. I just don't want to ruin our friendship. Not to mention that she is not without her suitors.'

Oh no. What would she think of his relationship with Roberta now? He didn't love Roberta, nor would he ever love her. But how could he describe his past with this woman and not make it appear as if he did love her? He only hoped that she would not ask him and that he would be able to save face. Though, knowing Roberta, he would not get off so easily.

Ooooooooooo

Minerva was also thinking about what he had told her the previous evening. Could this woman be the one person he had been talking about? True, she did not have all the details of their past with each other, but it made sense. All she had to do was put two and two together and the answer seemed so obvious. But she did her best not to think about it too much. For now, she would just have to focus on what Severus was trying to tell her. They had just left the Great Hall and were headed towards the dungeons to show her his classroom and his private chambers, just in case she needed anything. Though she did not say so, she would have preferred to go straight to Albus' room first. There was just something so comforting about him that Severus did not have.

"This is the most direct path to take to get to the dungeons," he said as they entered his classroom. "You can find me down here most of the time, with the exception of meals and when I am in my rooms. But chances are you'll have better luck finding me down here rather than anywhere else. I rarely leave here."

"And why is that?" Minerva inquired. Severus shrugged.

"I just find the atmosphere more enjoyable down here, I guess," he said.

'I suppose it is only suitable for a vampire to enjoy the dark, dank, cold feelings emitted from a dungeon,' was Minerva's first thought. But she said nothing as he showed her around the classroom. It was rather dark in there, and she accidentally hit her knee against a desk.

"Yes, I suppose it does take time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness," said Severus as Minerva rubbed her knee in an attempt to bring down the pain. "Especially for you, since you rarely, if ever, come down here. You always said that you hated the depressing feelings you received during each visit."

"I can see why," sighed Minerva. She had noticed a sense of depression fall upon her heart when she first entered the classroom. Severus pointed to a door.

"My office is just beyond there. Just beyond there, my chambers are connected. Should you need anything, and you happen to be around, do not hesitate to come and find me. As I've said before, I'm always here." He said all this in a rather dismissive voice, as if he were only saying this because he had to. It all seemed so rehearsed to Minerva, and she wondered why he was the way he was.

"Do you ever smile?" she asked. Severus looked at her, rather shocked. "I just haven't seen you smile since I woke up in the hospital wing. At least, not a real smile. And I just wondered if there was a particular reason to this?" This caused Severus to smile-an actual human smile.

"Well, there really is no particular reason, other than habit, I suppose," he said. Then, he frowned. "I have a dark past, Minerva; a dark, dark past. One which I wish I could forget, but one which I know I never will. I often have nightmares about it, and I guess I just can't bring myself to smile half the time." Minerva softened a bit. She was beginning to feel sorry for him. If he really did have such a horrible past, she supposed that she couldn't hold it against him. Alas, at least he had a past to remember, whereas she did not.

"I'm sorry, Severus," she said. "I didn't mean to suggest anything." Severus shrugged nonchalantly.

"Nothing really fazes a Death Eater, Minerva," he said. Minerva quirked a brow.

"Death Eater?" she asked. Severus sneered.

"A Death Eater, or was, a supporter of Lord Voldemort." Minerva gasped. "Don't worry. Halfway through the war, I decided it wasn't for me. I joined Albus' side, and became the potions master here at the school, though I pretended to remain on Voldemort's side so I could spy on him for the Order. Has Albus explained the Order of the Phoenix?" Minerva nodded. "Good. I still have the Dark Mark." He showed her the mark he had on his wrist and she gasped again, wholly involuntarily. Severus sneered once again and covered it. "Yes, Albus has been most kind to me since I turned from the ways of Voldemort and his followers. Nobody trusted me, not even you at first. But you had Albus' reassurance that he knew what he was doing, and that was good enough for you." He snickered here. "You always did follow Albus willingly in whatever he decided to do." Minerva smiled, then turned around.

"Well I suppose he must know what he is doing, if he's managed to live so long, surviving two wars, and become the headmaster of a school for wizards," Minerva replied. The snicker left Severus' face.

"Yes, you and Albus have always been particularly close," he said. "He taught you when you attended Hogwarts as a student. He was even the one who showed you how to become an animagus."

"No wonder we're such good friends," said Minerva. "If my calculations are correct, we've known each other for more than half a century. That is quite a time to build up a friendship." Severus nodded, not wholly sure if he should tell her more. He decided against it, since she had not yet asked, nor was it a vital time to tell her.

"Well, how about we continue with our tour?" he asked. Minerva nodded and they continued on. He showed her the inside of his office, his rooms, and the kitchens. They had been having a good time, until they reached the kitchens.

"House elves are interesting creatures, don't you think?" Minerva asked as she watched them go about their work. Some had greeted her, while others wished her a fast recovery.

"Yes, I suppose they are," said Severus. Just then, a house elf arrived.

"Would Professor McGonagall like her usual tea?" he asked, bowing so low that Minerva feared he would fall forward.

"Yes, I suppose that would be nice," she said, not quite sure what her 'usual tea' consisted of. But she thought tea sounded good right then, so she said yes. It might also help her remember what her 'usual tea' might be. Within a matter of seconds, there was a tray on the counter and Severus motioned for her to sit down. She did so, and he sat across from her. She breathed in the aroma of her tea and smiled. The scent of peppermint filled her nostrils, and she welcomed it gladly. She looked to the side of the cup of tea and noticed a small tin of cookies. She picked one up and tasted it.

"Mmm, what is this?" she asked.

"Those are your favorite cookies," said Severus, cringing. "I never liked them much."

"Well, I can see why they are my favorite," replied Minerva, smiling slightly at the sight of Severus' face. "What are they called?"

"Ginger newts," said Severus. Minerva looked at them and stopped chewing.

"They're not real newts, are they?" she asked. Severus chuckled.

"No, Minerva, they're not real newts," he said. Minerva smiled and continued eating. She was about to ask him more about himself, but the door to the kitchens opened up and someone walked in.

"Oh, hullo Professor McGognull," said Lenora, bouncing excitingly into the kitchen. Minerva turned around and couldn't help but smile warmly at the little girl. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well, Lenora. That is your name, isn't it?" she asked.

"Yup, it sure is," she said, a huge grin on her face. She sat on a stool next to Minerva. "Hullo, Professor Snape." Snape nodded to her, but said nothing. He simply watched Minerva's interaction with the little child. Lenora turned back to Minerva. "You know, you really are very pretty."

"Thank you," said Minerva, very flattered at the little child.

"You're much more pretty than some women I've met," continued Lenora. She was now speaking at a fast rate. "Much more pretty than a lot of mama's friends, too. They are all ugly and all they talk about is getting their nails done. I've only spoken to you twice before, but I remember that you are very smart and are actually very funny. I hope you can get your memory back soon, because I like you and I don't want to lose you because if you do then I won't have anyone to talk to." She finally stopped and breathed. Minerva could not help but laugh. She seemed to be quite intelligent for a girl her age.

"Well, I am glad that you like me, because I like you as well," she said. "You are a bright little girl." Lenora beamed.

"Okay, well, I have to go now, because I am hiding from my mama and I think she might be looking here next, so bye." Without waiting for Minerva or Severus to reply, she headed out the door and was gone. Minerva chuckled, turning back to Severus.

"You always did have a soft spot for children, Minerva," said Severus. "And you've always been real good with them. I almost envy that." He sneered.

"Almost, right?" Minerva asked.

"Almost, but not quite."

"Almost what?" Minerva paled when she heard the voice which sent chills up and down her spine. She stiffened when she felt a hand on her shoulder, smelled the sickening sweet scent of her perfume, and looked into the suspicious eyes of Roberta Kingston.

A/N2: Ta Da! The next chapter! Hope you like this chapter. So, what's in store for Roberta and Minerva? We shall see… Dun dun dun dun! Dun dun dun dun duuuun! (Goes all Dragnet on everybody!) Teehee! Always Hopeful