Disclaimer: I do not own anything dealing with Harry Potter. Le Sigh.

A/N: Okay, I just wanted to say to all those who have been waiting patiently for this update that I thank you very deeply from the bottom of my heart. I know that my sound korny, but hey? What can I say? Reviews are what make me happy. The more reviews I get, the more I am inclined to write more chapters. So thank you so very much to all those who have reviewed my story.

Chapter Nineteen: A Ghost…

Once Cornelius and the others left his cell, Albus leaned back against the stone wall. He chuckled to himself as he thought of what a fool the current minister of magic was. That great oaf couldn't manage his own life, let alone the lives of others.

He immediately sobered when he thought of all that had transpired tonight. Minerva had gotten her memory back, but it was not in the way he would have like to help give it back. Yes, he did love her and had enjoyed himself immensely, but he hated the fact that their first time had to be in Azkaban. There were so many other places that they could have done what they did, and yet they had to be here, inside a gloomy prison cell. He silently cursed the Fates. Why did they have to interfere with everything?

Releasing a heavy sigh, he stood and stretched. His back ached and he was beginning to develop a headache. He felt every year he had lived. It seemed that since this whole ordeal had started, he was beginning to feel his age. He turned around and stood upon his bed. No, he couldn't reach the window, but he could see the moon shining up above. It was so beautiful up there in the sky. Had he seen that same moon up above a few hours earlier, he would have had an entirely different view. He would have felt alone and desolate, much like the blue moon he saw above.

But now, he didn't. How could he feel lonely after all that he had shared with Minerva? He couldn't. Instead of frowning, he merely smiled. Despite all that had transpired, he knew Minerva would be there for him, just as she always had been. There was no doubt of that. And now that she had her memory back, and she still loved him, he had every reason to believe that she would do everything in her power, and then some, to help him get out of Azkaban.

He smiled as he continued to look up at the moon. It was beautiful-just like she was.

"I love you, Tabby," he whispered. "Take care."

Ooooooooooo

It was at that very time that Minerva was making her way to Severus' chambers. She needed to speak with him, as well as the others. She would go to his bedroom and speak with him, letting him know all she knew of Roberta. Well, all she knew that he himself did not know.

She quickly made her way into the dungeons where she knew she would find him. She thanked the gods above that she remembered everything about her life now. This way, she didn't have to wonder where to go or try to remember anything she was told. She hurried into the dungeons and into Severus' room. Normally, she would have knocked, but the door was open and she was in a hurry. When she entered, Severus was struggling against Poppy, who was attempting to force some green goop down his throat.

"For the last time, woman, I will not swallow any of that nasty goop you call- Minerva!" Poppy looked over her shoulder and smiled nervously at her friend. She set aside her potion and moved to meet Minerva at the foot of Severus' bed. She stopped two or three feet away and looked at her, asking the silent question. When Minerva didn't answer, she felt she had to ask.

"Well? How did it go?" she asked. Minerva smiled as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Lady Wetherton would be happy," she said. Tears sprang into her best friend's eyes as Minerva said the name of Poppy's imaginary friend as a child. Sniffing slightly, Poppy pulled her friend into an embrace, leaving a very confused Severus to just stare at the two women in awe. He would have said something, only he didn't want to break up what was obviously a sentimental moment. Also, it kept Poppy from remembering that he was there and forcing that horrible stuff down his throat. Finally, Minerva pulled back and wiped her eyes.

"So you do have your memory back," Poppy whispered. Severus' eyes widened.

"You do?" he asked. Minerva smiled and nodded. For the first time in a long time, Minerva actually thought she saw him smile.

"Welcome back, Minerva," he said. "Might I inquire as to how you were so fortunate as to get your memory back?"

"That's not really important right now," interjected Poppy, attempting to save her friend some embarrassment. Minerva nodded appreciatively before pursing her lips and looking back at Severus.

"Yes, Albus is in Azkaban and he needs our help." She heaved a huge sigh as she proceeded to tell them everything she knew. Poppy and Severus merely gaped as she finished, unsure of what to say.

"Oh, Minerva," whispered Poppy from her spot next to Severus on the bed. "If what you say is true, which I am sure it is, then Roberta could get life in Azkaban, or perhaps even the Dementor's kiss."

"That does not concern me half as much as what will happen to Albus if we do not find some way of proving that he is innocent in Lenora's death." She crossed her arms.

"That's true," agreed Severus. "Albus would never harm a single hair on that child's head." He huffed angrily. "I knew those two were up to something. I just didn't know what!"

"What do you mean?" asked Poppy. Severus looked at her.

"Well, before I escaped, I heard Roberta talking to some man. I don't know who he was. I could only hear his voice."

"You never heard a name?" asked Minerva. He only shook his head.

"But I do remember hearing them mentioning Lenora's name several times, as well as Albus'."

"All that and you didn't hear anything else?" huffed Poppy. Severus frowned at her.

"I was trying to escape, you infernal woman," he snarled. "And it is not as though I could merely shout out, 'hey, could you please not speak in hushed tones so I can hear what you are saying while I break through my chains?'" Poppy gave him an irritated glare.

"Poppy, Severus, this is not helping Albus any." The two stopped bickering, though it looked as though Poppy had opened her mouth to retort. Instead, she caught sight of Minerva's irritated glare and wisely shut it again. If there was anything she wished to avoid, it was an angry Scottish Transfiguration professor who had lost her love to Azkaban. But she gave Severus a glare which said 'this is not over yet'.

"She's right," Poppy finally said. "What we need is a plan to get Albus out of Azkaban."

"But how?" asked Severus. "No ministry official is going to help us, and anyone who is willing to believe us is not going to be in a position to do anything."

"Do try to be optimistic for once, Severus," sighed Poppy.

"No, he's right," replied Minerva, who was now pacing at the foot of the bed. "None of the ministry officials are going to want to help me. We need some hard evidence-something that the ministry cannot ignore."

"Well where are we going to find evidence like that?" asked Severus.

"I honestly do not know, Severus," replied Minerva. "I honestly do not know." She sat on the edge of his bed, staring at both him and Poppy. Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock on the door.

"Now who could that be?" wondered Poppy as Minerva stood to answer the door.

"Probably Filius or Pomona," sighed Severus. The door opened and Minerva gasped. A little girl with platinum blond hair and blue eyes, which appeared full of unshed tears, looked up at her.

"Lenora…" breathed Minerva.

"Professor McGonagall," wailed the girl. She threw herself into Minerva's arms. Minerva hugged the little girl close to her arms and held her close before looking over her shoulder at Severus and Poppy, who had both paled and were staring at the small girl with open mouths. Tears filled Minerva's eyes and she felt as though she couldn't breathe. She placed a hand on the back of the child's head and frowned when she felt something sticky in her hair. She looked down and felt the tears fall from her eyes as she saw the red coloring mix with her blond hair… blood.

Ooooooooooo

Albus stared at the door as he heard a key turn in the lock. This was it. He had to defend himself and he hadn't a clue as to how he would do it. The door opened to reveal a rather large man who looked as though he could tear a man's limbs off without much trouble at all.

"It's time, Mr. Dumbledore," he said. Albus nodded and stood up. He held out his arms as the man placed the shackles around his wrists. Before Albus could walk out, the man stopped him.

"I want you to know, Professor, that I don't believe you killed that little girl," he said. There was a certain sincerity in his eyes and voice that touched Albus. Albus smiled.

"Thank you very much, Mr.…"

"McGregor," the man said in his deep voice. "Adam McGregor." The man reached out his hand and shook Albus' hand.

"It means a lot to have somebody's support," Albus said.

"You are no more a murderer than I am," Adam said. "I know you wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone a small, adorable child like that Lenora. I hope nothing happens to you. I'd hate to see a great man like you spend a lifetime in Azkaban, or worse." Albus nodded.

"Once again, I thank you for your kind words."

"I'll have you know that you have my support. I would hate to have to be the one to oversee your sentence should you get the kiss." Albus merely smiled before Adam led him out of the cell.

A/N2: Phew… I tell you what, I don't remember having this much trouble with a chapter before. Hehe. I merely updated cuz all of my reviewers said they'd kill me if I didn't. Hehe. Thanks for reading and I hope I didn't make a complete blunder of this chapter. Please tell me what you think. Always Hopeful