Disclaimer: I do not own anything dealing with Harry Potter and all that jazz.

A/N: Okay, the idea for this chapter came to me suddenly when I was sitting in the car, waiting for my mom and step-dad to come out of the store. I wrote a lot of it while in the car, and everything after Albus says "It's despicable" was written on napkins. LOL! And guess what? I've got the rest of the story outlined. If you know me, you know I NEVER do that. LOL!

Chapter Thirteen: Love's Dark Reminder…

Minerva felt an odd sense of relief as she placed little Lenora into Albus' bed. At least now, for the time being, she was safe from the cruel force that was her mother. Though she knew it wouldn't last, and that they still faced many obstacles, Minerva was pleased to know she had a chance of rescuing Lenora from a wicked mother, even if it were for an uncertain amount of time.

She watched as Albus took off the girl's shoes and transfigured her clothes into a lovely white nightgown. Then, she gently pulled the covers up to the girl's chin. Gently smoothing down a few errant strands of hair, she looked at Albus, who frowned and motioned for the door. With every step she took, she could feel her anger grow. It grew so quickly within the both of them, it was a wonder they were not blinded from it. He shut the door to his private bedroom silently and walked to the fireplace in his private living room. Minerva was pacing back and forth in between the fireplace and couch.

"Where does that woman come off treating her own child like that?" she spat, her Scottish accent becoming more and more pronounced.

"I knew she was underhanded, but this?" Albus thrust his hand angrily in the direction of the fireplace, causing a fire to roar to life, the heat emitting immediately. The flames danced the same angry dance which could be seen in the eyes of the headmaster and his deputy headmistress. "It's despicable."

"A child should never be treated in such a wretched manner," Minerva hissed. Both she and Albus were now pacing, meeting briefly by the couch every now and then before moving on, turning around, and retracing their footsteps. Not once did they look at each other, but both brooding over what Roberta Kingston had done to Lenora.

They continued the ranting and pacing for a good five minutes before…

"Ouch!" exclaimed Minerva, rubbing her nose. It seemed that she and Albus had inadvertently run into each other during their rant fest. He smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry, my dear," he apologized.

"No, it was my fault," she offered, also smiling meekly.

"No, I fear I have always been rather clumsy, especially when I rant." Minerva could not prevent the small laugh which escaped from her lips. She looked down at her hands, then at the couch, and back at her hands.

"Something must be done, Albus," she sighed as she sat down on the couch. He did the same, staring into the fire as he did so.

"I agree," he said. "But wizard laws are much stricter than muggle laws. It is much harder for a witch or wizard to take away from an unfit parent, and Roberta knows this. That's what makes her even more conniving and loathsome. As much as I hate to admit it, Roberta is a very intelligent woman. She's no fool, though she likes to lead people to believe that she is." Minerva leaned back her head and rested it against the back of the couch, closing her eyes as she did so. Albus glanced over at her and his mouth suddenly went dry. Lord, she was gorgeous; especially by firelight. He had to forcer himself not to reach out and touch her hair.

"Poor Lenora," Minerva muttered, opening her eyes.

"Yes," replied Albus, clearing his throat and looking down. He was ashamed to be thinking about kissing and touching her when what he should be thinking about was how to help Lenora escape the clutches of a villainous mother.

"I want to do something for her," she said, looking at him, but not lifting her head from the back of the couch. "Perhaps I can take her shopping tomorrow? It could never make up for what her mother has done to her, but this way she doesn't have to stay cooped up inside all day, scared the way she is." Albus smiled and covered her left hand with his right one.

"I think that is a wonderful idea, Tabby," he said. "You've always had a soft spot for children; especially young ones." They smiled at each other, and then looked down at their hands. They had somehow interlocked their hands without realizing it. She blushed and he smiled.

"Albus, there is something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Yes, Minerva?" he asked. His heart beat faster, and yet he did not know why. She looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

"I know this may come as a shock to you… It surprised me as well. But after speaking with Severus, and re-reading a few diary entries-well, I suppose you must include the past few days as well-I have come to a startling revelation." She stood and went to the fireplace. Albus grew concerned, but remained sitting. What he heard next certainly startled him, there was no doubt about that. "Albus, I love you." Oops, she hadn't meant to blurt it out like that. She could have smacked herself for being so stupid. 'You were supposed to break it to him gently,' she told herself.

"Minerva," she heard him say. Oh, how foolish she felt just then. Albus stood and walked up behind her, placing a hand on her left shoulder and turning her around. She wasn't looking at him. She wouldn't. He lifted her face with his finger, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Is it true?" She looked down, feeling tears begin to prick her eyes.

"I know it sounds crazy for me to be in love with someone I hardly remember. I don't even understand it myself. After all, how can that be possible? But it's true. According to Severus, I have loved you for so long. It seems it was obvious to everyone but you." She laughed slightly and then frowned again. "Then I began to read a few more journal entries, and I spoke of my feelings for you, which I would never tell you. And then that memory made me feel so alive, like I knew who I was." She stopped, suddenly feeling as if it had been a bad idea to tell him. She felt him pull her into his arms. Strong, powerful arms.

"Oh, Minerva," he whispered. "I cannot tell you how much that means to me to hear you say that." Minerva tensed. What? "You see, I, too, have loved you for a long time. I have been foolish not to tell you. But I suppose, like you, I was scared. Scared of being rejected by my one true friend; my one true love."

There is much still in the world which needs to be explained. Love is the most powerful one of them all. When Minerva heard Albus say what he did, she somehow felt complete again. Even if she never regained her memory, she somehow felt that everything would be alright now. Now she had someone who did love her and who would be there for her.

Tears fell from Minerva's eyes. She was happy. For the first time since she woke up in the hospital wing, she was not scared. She loved and was loved. Sure, she did not remember much, but she would, in time. Albus began to wipe the tears away with his thumb.

"Don't cry, Tabby," he whispered. "I'm here now, and there is no need for tears. Please tell me what I can do to take the pain away." Minerva's bottom lip quivered as she raised her arms and rested them around his shoulders.

"Kiss me," she said. It was little more than a whisper, and it was only two little words, but it had a great impact. "Just kiss me." Ever willing to oblige the woman he loved, he lowered his head and did as he was asked. The kiss was soft at first, but grew in intensity.

This was what Albus had dreamt of for who knew how long? Holding her in his arms, and kissing her tenderly, and showing her how much he loved her; all of that was what he dreamt of. And as for Minerva…

She was floating upon clouds. She felt as if there was hope out in the world. This felt right to her, no matter how odd it might seem to others. But that feeling didn't last long. It seemed as though time stopped, and the next thing she knew, she was somewhere else. She was standing in a hall of Hogwarts, and it seemed to be late at night. The halls were deserted… except for one lone figure.

Minerva gasped as she saw the younger version of herself. She had heard stories from the others of how beautiful she was, but this was the first time she thought they might be right. She had to admit, she was quite a looker.

The figure walked down the hallway. This must be during her Prefect years. She smiled. She remembered what Prefects were. But then, just as quickly as her smile came, it left again. She had a bad feeling about this memory.

In the flash of an eye, a dark figure in a cloak shoved her into a nearby classroom, covering her mouth. Minerva followed, as it all came back to her…

Ooooooooooo

Several seconds later, Minerva found herself kissing Albus once again. She pulled back and gasped, her heart racing, and her mind reeling. She looked around. She was back in his living room, scared to death.

"Minerva, what's wrong?" asked Albus, suddenly scared that she might have realized her mistake. She pulled back and fell upon the couch, crying. He sat down next to her. "Oh, please, Min, what is it?" He was becoming panicked.

"I-I-I had an…other memory," she said between sobs. Albus was torn. On the one hand, he was glad that it hadn't been the kiss or their declarations of love. But then, he was scared about the memory.

"Was it a bad memory?" he asked. What a stupid question, he thought to himself. She nodded. "Sssshhh, it's alright now. Don't worry." He knew it was a stupid thing to say, but what could he say? He held her tightly until her sobs subsided. When she finally regained her composure, she sat there, in his arms, telling him of her memory.

"I was seventeen… I was patrolling the corridors… Then, a mysterious man attacked me and threw me into a nearby classroom and proceeded… to… proceeded to rape me." Albus thought long and hard. Then, he remembered. That was the night a drunken wizard entered Hogwarts, completely unsuspected, and raped Minerva. Albus had been too late, but he had made it nonetheless. One of the past headmasters had been walking through one of the portraits in the classroom and had spotted what was going on and had gone to get Albus, who had been working late grading papers in his office. He hadn't been fast enough to save her from losing her virginity, but he had made it before he could do any more. He told her as much.

"I am so sorry, my dear. Please forgive me," he pleaded. She tightened her grip on him.

"There is nothing to forgive," she whispered. "There was no way you could have known. That was a long time ago."

"Yes, but unfortunately, it scarred you for a long time. You wouldn't even date for ten years because of it. And, as far as I know, you have never… You have never…" He was not quite sure how to phrase it. "You have never had… relations with a man. You've been so scared that you will either displease the man you are with, or you will not enjoy it, or any number of things, because of it. At least, those are all the reasons why you have told me." He held tight to her. Something inside Minerva clicked.

"Is that why I have never had a husband, or children?" Albus thought.

"Well, I suppose that could be part of it. And, if Severus is right, because you have been waiting for me." He smiled slightly, as did she.

"Well, that too. I suppose." She smiled slightly.

"Never again will I make you wait, Tabby," he said. "Never again." She stretched and yawned.

"I'm tired," she whispered. She nestled into him. "I suppose I should be going to bed."

"Would you like to stay here with me, Tabby?" he asked. She didn't even look up at him, but closed her eyes instead.

"Mmmm, that would be wonderful," she replied. "I don't think I could stand to be alone tonight. Not after that horrible memory." He kissed the top of her head and pulled her into a comfortable position, laying a tartan blanket upon them both. "Good night, Albus."

"Good night, my darling," he whispered. It wasn't long before they were both sleeping soundly. Well, it might have been a bad memory, but at least they were making progress. Hopefully, things would pick up from here.

And they did…

A/N2: So, what did you think? Did it suck? Was it OOC? Was it horrible! I'm sorry, don't hit me! (Hides behind muse for protection). Remember, it's like, eleven at night where I live, so I'm exhausted. LOL! Always Hopeful