A/N: Hello! I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. Here's a new chapter! It's a long one, so I hope you enjoy!

A soft knock disturbed the silence of the corridor, followed by a woman's voice.

"Minerva? Are you in there?" An annoyed huff came from beside her.

"How can you expect anyone to hear you when you speak so low? I doubt that could even be heard through the door!"

This voice was considerably louder and Poppy Pomfrey rolled her eyes in response.

"Well I'm sorry Rolanda, but what if she's asleep? I don't want to disturb her."

"Sleeping?! It's after noon! Of course she's not sleeping. And she's missed lunch again."

Poppy sighed, knowing that the flying mistress had a point.

"Minerva?" She tried again, louder this time.

They waited for a few moments but there was no answer. Rolanda was quickly losing her patience. She stepped forward and pounded her fist against the door.

"Minerva! C'mon, I know you're in there! We've looked everywhere else, dammit!"

"Ro! Take it easy, you'll scare her!"

"Good!" Rolanda answered immediately. "She should know better than to disappear like this."

"Minerva!" She yelled as she banged on the door.

Poppy placed a hand on Rolanda's shoulder. She huffed again, but she took a step back without arguing. The medi-witch didn't knock this time, but she made sure to speak loud enough to be heard.

"Minerva, please. We're only worried about you. No one's seen you in three days and you haven't shown up to meals. Are you alright? This isn't like you."

Silence met her words. Poppy sighed again, turning to Rolanda behind her with a resigned shrug.

The flying instructor's lips were pressed into a hard line, and even though she was annoyed Poppy could see the growing concern behind that.

The first day Minerva didn't show up for meals, no one batted an eye. Although it didn't happen often, the transfiguration professor did occasionally elect to have food brought to her rooms to catch up on work. It wasn't until yesterday at lunch that Poppy became concerned. When Minerva didn't show up to dinner either, she could see the worry on Albus's face as well.

The deputy told them about the last conversation he'd had with Minerva but the information was nothing new—the Headmaster already told the staff about what they learned from Myrtle Warren's ghost—but it was clear to all three of them that something about it upset Minerva.

Now it was past lunch on the third day, and Poppy could no longer just give her space and hope for the best. Logically she knew that Minerva must be eating; Pipsy wouldn't allow her to simply skip so many meals. Knowing Pipsy would take care of her physically, she was more concerned for her friend's mental and emotional well-being.

Rolanda moved back toward the door after a few moments. Poppy was tempted to stop her because she knew more banging on Minerva's door would solve nothing. She looked calmer now though, so she watched silently as Rolanda knocked again. It was firm, but there was no unnecessary force behind it.

"I don't know what's going on with you Min, but you can't avoid us forever. We're not going to force it out of you but Poppy and I… And Albus too, we're all here for you. We are your friends, Minerva—nothing will change that. I'll come back every day until you accept it. I'll blow this bloody portrait off the wall if I have to."

With that, Rolanda turned on her heel and strode off. She looked determined and even though Poppy was surprised, she didn't try to stop her. She's known Rolanda Hooch for a long time, and she knew that if Minerva failed to emerge soon, she would be following through on her promise.

Poppy sighed, taking one last glance over her shoulder at the closed door before walking away too.

I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I listen to Poppy and Rolanda's footsteps moving away from my door. Every part of me wanted to get up and let them in, reassure them and explain but I stayed frozen on the couch the entire time. I hate that they're worried but I know exactly what they'll say and I'm simply not ready to hear it.

We're all here for you.

I sigh, finally getting up to go to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. I have classes to teach tomorrow and I need to try to keep up appearances. There's no fooling Albus, Poppy or Rolanda at this point, of course, but I don't need anyone else catching on. Allowing myself to fall further into this void I've found myself in certainly isn't going to change anything. An innocent child will still be dead.

It's your fault.

The same three words have echoed on repeat in my head for three days, ever since the night Albus explained to me what Myrtle Warren saw in that bathroom on the day she died. The moment I realized there was a connection between my vision and what must have killed her, all I've felt since then has been relentless, gnawing guilt.

The vision was a warning, just like all my visions back in Oz were and yet I did nothing about it. I should have known better; the visions were never meaningless before. Even though it didn't make any sense at the time, of course now it's so painfully obvious it's sickening. I realized long ago that everything would have been much easier in Oz if I were able to simply keep my mouth shut and not get involved. I thought that after so many mistakes I was finally doing the right thing.

It's your fault.

I considered telling Poppy and Albus about the vision the morning I woke up in the infirmary, but I didn't. I chose not to because I was afraid of what they'd think of me. I simply couldn't risk it; I already lost everything back in Oz and in my desperation to protect my life here, I did nothing.

It's my fault.

I was selfish, and it cost Myrtle Warren her life.

I have to swallow hard to keep the bile from rising in the back of my throat. Every time I think about it I feel sick and the guilt almost chokes me. I take several deep breaths to calm myself down again as I walk back to the couch with my tea.

We're your friends, nothing will change that.

Rolanda's words from a few minutes ago hit me again and I feel the sting of tears. I want to believe them so badly, and I know they all believe it too. They can't possibly imagine anything that would make them want nothing to do with me. Sometimes I fool myself into thinking that too, but then I remember my days as the Wicked Witch of the West and realize how laughably unrealistic that is.

I know that if I told them about the vision, they would all insist I did nothing wrong. I just can't hear that right now because no part of me believes it. There's no guarantee that telling my friends about the vision ahead of time would have changed the outcome. It's entirely possible that Myrtle would have still died regardless of what I chose to do—another argument I'm sure Poppy or Rolanda would mention—but even if there was the slightest chance she could have been saved, choosing to do nothing instead is yet another sin I doubt I'll ever forgive myself for.

Deputy Headmaster Albus Dumbledore sighed heavily as he sat back in his desk chair. His head ached and he couldn't understand for the life of him how things at Hogwarts had turned into such a mess.

Rubeus Hagrid has been accused of unleashing the monster that injured three students and killed Myrtle Warren. Armando told him about the accusation yesterday and Albus was positive that his disbelief was clear on his face, but the Headmaster didn't comment on it.

He refused to take the allegation seriously for a number of reasons. For one, Tom Riddle was the source. Apparently, he'd caught Hagrid with an Acromantula on the same night Ms. Warren's body was discovered. While it is true that Acromantulas are one of the most dangerous magical creatures in the Wizarding World, something about it didn't sit right with Albus.

Sir, if it all stopped…if the person responsible was caught—

He's been increasingly suspicious of Tom Riddle since the boy started at Hogwarts, but after he learned what Tom found, Albus was reminded of the boy's strange behavior that night on the stairs. Every professor has been scouring the castle for months, and yet on the very night a child is killed, Riddle just happens to find another student with a forbidden creature? It simply struck Albus as a little too convenient.

His personal suspicions about Tom aside, Acromantulas don't have the ability to cause these types of injuries. And, they have a taste for human flesh. An Acromantula wouldn't kill a student and then just leave her on the bathroom floor like that. Besides, Hagrid was a fine young man. He had a penchant for often dangerous creatures, but he was shy and reserved. He often kept to himself but he would never allow one of his creatures to hurt or kill someone else. Hagrid had a good heart, he simply didn't have it in him—Albus was as sure of this as he was that he couldn't trust Tom Riddle's word.

Still, once an accusation was made Professor Dippet was obligated to inform the Board of Governors. As expected, they immediately accepted it as the truth no matter how far-fetched it was. Albus could tell that Armando didn't believe it either, thank goodness, but it no longer mattered. Everyone was so desperate to have something to blame, to be able to say they'd solve the mystery and save the school, that they closed the case and put it out of their mind completely.

Rubeus Hagrid was beside himself, of course. He denied the charges desperately, and it killed Albus that no one would listen to him. No sentence has been carried out yet but Albus knew it was coming soon. He knew in his heart that Hagrid had been framed and he had an idea who was behind it, but he had no proof and the Board of Governors didn't seem inclined to listen to any other theories.

A low trill sounded from over Albus's shoulder and pulled him from his thoughts. He looked over at his familiar.

"Fawkes? What is it?"

The phoenix trilled again and Albus realized the bird wasn't even looking at him. The Deputy Headmaster followed his gaze out the window, where he saw Minerva McGonagall sitting under her usual tree by the Black Lake. He had an initial feeling of surprise at seeing her out and about, but then he remembered she finally showed up to breakfast this morning. He guessed that was only to keep up appearances since she had classes to teach today, because her eyes remained down the whole time and refused to meet anyone's gaze. Albus shared several knowing glances with Rolanda and Poppy that he was sure Minerva didn't notice.

Fawkes' soft cry sounded concerned and he was staring at Minerva's form through the window. Albus felt himself smiling a little.

"Go on, my friend. Maybe you can assist her more than I can right now."

His familiar was gone the instant the words were out of his mouth. Albus almost wanted to laugh until he looked back at Minerva sitting under the tree. She looked so lost he couldn't bring himself to feel anything but worry for her. He knew he needed to tell Minerva about the new developments, but if hearing about the details of Myrtle Warren's death made her this upset then…

Albus sighed. He didn't like keeping things from her, but he knew that he needed to give her time.

I take a deep breath as I listen to the wind rustling the leaves. The silence out by the Black Lake is so much more soothing than when I'm sitting alone in my quarters. I can feel the corner of my lips turn up just barely feeling the sun on my face. Almost immediately the contentment I felt for that brief moment is dashed when I remember a child has just died and I kick myself again.

A soft cry and the sound of flapping wings causes me to open my eyes for the first time in several minutes. The leaves of the tree rustle again and I look up, surprised to find Albus's familiar on the lowest branch and peering down at me.

"Fawkes?" I look over my shoulder, half expecting to find Albus behind me. When I don't see him, I look back at the bird.

"What are you doing here, little one?"

It's only been a few weeks since I met the newborn phoenix in Albus's office, but it's certainly not what I would consider little anymore. Despite that, the nickname has stuck and Fawkes doesn't seem to mind it.

He trills pleasantly and continues to stare at me. I meet his gaze and I can tell that he's studying me, almost as though he can sense something is wrong.

I reach out a hand and Fawkes drops down beside me immediately to allow me to brush my fingers against his head.

The bird opens its mouth and begins to sing. I'm stunned, and I watch him for a few moments before I turn back to the lake and close my eyes again to focus on the melody. It is easily the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life. It's oddly calming and it makes me feel like I can breathe again for the first time in days.

The song continues for several minutes and when Fawkes finally finishes I open my eyes again to look at him, managing a small smile.

"Thank you, little one. That was lovely."

Fawkes trills happily at the praise and allows me to stroke his feathers one more time before he spreads his wings and takes to the sky. I sigh watching him go.

"Minerva,"

I turn to find Poppy walking up behind me. The small moment of peace is gone immediately when I see the caution and worry on her face.

"Poppy."

I attempt another small smile on instinct, but I can't manage it this time.

Poppy nods up to the sky where the phoenix disappeared. "Fawkes seems to like you."

I nod. I hear her take several steps closer and I sigh. "What are you doing out here?"

The question comes out more abruptly than I intended, but Poppy doesn't comment. Rather than answer my question she closes the distance between us.

"May I join you?"

I don't respond, but it's also not a discouragement so she sits down in the grass beside me. It's silent for several moments as we both look out at the Black Lake. Now the silence is less comforting and makes me more and more anxious the longer it stretches on.

"Minerva, I just—"

"I know, Poppy." I interrupt. "I heard you yesterday."

"So you were there." She doesn't sound upset so I don't say anything. Poppy sighs. "Why do you insist on shutting yourself away when you clearly need support?"

I shake my head. "I'm fine Poppy."

"At the very least don't lie to me, Minerva."

I glance sideways at her. "I don't know what you expect me to say."

"This has something to do with Myrtle Warren doesn't it."

It's a statement rather than a question, but it still makes me wince.

I can feel her eyes studying me even though I refuse to look at her. "Why does it seem like you're somehow blaming yourself for what happened to her?"

The tension in my body is rising rapidly, but my voice sounds tired and defeated when I finally respond.

"Poppy, please…"

"Minerva please help me understand. We want to help you."

I close my eyes, barely resisting the urge to put my hands over my ears to block her out. When I don't answer, Poppy continues.

"You are not responsible for what happened to Myrtle Warren. You couldn't have known."

This sentence finally makes me turn my face to look at her. "No, you're wrong."

Poppy's brow furrows in confusion. "What?"

"The night Pipsy found me. You said I had a seizure, but I didn't tell you what caused it. I had a vision of that child's death."

Poppy's eyes widen just slightly. It's quiet for several moments after I admit it, and I hold my breath as I wait for the vilification I've been so used to.

"Minerva…"

She places a hand on my arm in an attempt to comfort me but I shake it off immediately and scramble to my feet. Why isn't she yelling at me? The last thing I deserve right now is comfort.

"No! Don't you get it? I saw it, Poppy! I knew I had a vision when I woke up but I didn't say anything!"

"But Minerva, you didn't know—"

"I should have done something!" I cut her off before she can bother finishing the sentence. "Maybe she could have been saved if I had just been there…"

Poppy got up, too. She could clearly see the way Minerva was struggling against her emotions and attempted to look at it logically.

"Even if you could have guessed such an impossible scenario, you could have been killed along with her."

Poppy saw the expression that flickered across Minerva's face; it was clear she didn't particularly seem to care about that possibility. It broke her heart to see how little Minerva worried about her own wellbeing.

"I had prior information and I consciously chose to do nothing because I was terrified you all would think I was crazy!"

Poppy just stared at her for a moment. "You didn't do anything wrong, Minerva."

Minerva laughs—cackles, really—in a way Poppy has never heard before. It's frightening and out of control. For the briefest moment Poppy could swear she was looking at an entirely different person.

"Stop it! I may not be the one that attacked her, but an innocent girl is dead because I ignored my gut instinct in favor of saving myself!"

I sigh, finally shaking my head when Poppy doesn't say anything in response.

"I am not the person you all think I am, Poppy. Everywhere I go, disaster follows. You asked me earlier why I insist on shutting myself off when I need support? Because I simply don't deserve it. Clearly shutting myself away is the safest thing for everyone around me. I should have figured that out years ago. I've tried so hard to do better but I'm clearly just as awful and selfish as everyone always said I was."

Poppy gasped immediately. "You are not—"

"Enough, Poppy!" I scream, finally losing the last of my composure.

Poppy flinched, and it made the tears that were gathering in her eyes fall. Seeing the tears on her face and knowing I created them makes the anger disappear immediately and I hope she can see the instant regret in my face.

"Please just… enough." I whisper before I back away from her.

Poppy yells after me, but I pay no attention to it. I ball my hands into fists and resist the urge to turn around. I know if I stay here any longer I'm only going to make her cry again.

When I finally get back to my room I slam the door shut behind me and lean against it. I hate myself for scaring Poppy enough to make her cry. All she's ever done is look out for me and be my friend, how could I have treated her like that?

A loud pop startles me enough to make me jump, and I spin around to see Pipsy's smiling face.

"Hello, Miss Minerva. Pipsy brought you lunch. She assumed you wouldn't want to eat in the Great Hall today."

I swallow hard against the lump in my throat. Oh, why did Pipsy have to show up now? I've already made one person cry, I can't do that to Pispy too.

I glance in her direction but I can't make myself look her in the eyes today, so I just nod to acknowledge her words.

"Miss Minerva? Are you alright?"

I grit my teeth but nod again. I silently beg her to just leave it at that and let me be alone, but Pipsy is far too caring for that.

"Mistress?" I hear Pipsy set the tray she brought on the table before she comes around to face me. I cross my arms over my chest and turn away from her to look at the fireplace.

"Your food is on the table, Miss Minerva."

"I'm not hungry today, Pipsy."

She is silent for long enough that I start to think maybe she left, but of course I'm wrong.

"Pipsy is worried about you, Miss Minerva. You haven't been yourself. Are you sure you're alright?"

"Don't worry about me."

"Pipsy will always worry about Miss Minerva."

I close my eyes tightly and tighten my hold on my arms. She said those same words months ago, but now instead of making me happy it only makes me feel guilty. I can't even make myself look at Pipsy right now, and every time she tries to look at my face I move away from her. She's so good. Pipsy, Poppy, Rolanda, Albus—they're all so bloody good and I'm just—

I can do anything I want, I'm the Wicked Witch of the West!

I flinch, remembering the words I'd said to Glinda in Fiyero's castle the day she came to confront me.

"Go, Pipsy. I'm not safe to be around right now."

Pipsy doesn't even acknowledge what I said. "Mistress, you must eat."

"Pipsy!"

You are out of control!

"Miss Minerva—"

Hearing Glinda's voice screaming at me finally pushes me over the edge, and I spin around before I realize what I'm doing.

"Leave me alone!"

Pipsy jumped away from Miss Minerva, surprised by the hysterical tone of her voice. Tears sprung to her eyes before she could stop them. The witch's green eyes were so bright they looked like they were glowing, and the expression on her face was so fierce Pipsy almost didn't recognize her.

"M-Mistress…"

The frightening look was gone the instant Pipsy uttered a sound, replaced with one that was so devastatingly sad that she instantly wanted to comfort her.

"Oh, Pipsy… I—"

Miss Minerva's voice was back to normal when she reached toward the elf, but she dropped her arm at once and backed away from her instead.

"I am so sorry, Pipsy. I didn't mean that, I…"

I can still clearly see the tears shining in the elf's eyes, but she smilesat me.

"It's alright, Miss Minerva."

I shake my head. What the hell is wrong with me?

"It's not alright. You should never be spoken to like that. All you're trying to do is help me."

I move away from her and sit on the couch with my head in my hands. I hear Pipsy's small steps coming to stand in front of me.

"Miss Minerva,"

I don't look at her until I feel her little hand on mine. "You are under a great deal of stress right now, Mistress. It is okay, Pipsy forgives you. She knows you would never hurt her."

She looks so certain, and I know if I were in my right mind of course I never would. But I felt my magic try to lash out in my brief moment of hysterics. If I'd hurt Pipsy, I would never forgive myself even if she did.

"Please don't make excuses for me, Pipsy. I don't deserve your forgiveness right now. I'm so sorry."

The compassionate expression on her face never changes, and I've never felt more like the Wicked Witch of the West in my life.

The sound of a tray hitting the coffee table pulls me out of my thoughts. The tray of food Pipsy brought me is now sitting directly in front of me. I look over at Pipsy beside me. The expression on her face is kind, but stern, and once again it reminds me of Poppy.

"Eat, Miss Minerva."

I watch her for a second before nodding. "Alright."

The response is quiet, but I reach for the tray and do what Pipsy says. The small smile she gives me almost makes me feel better.

I'm one of the first ones to leave the Great Hall after dinner. Poppy and Rolanda kept trying to make eye contact with me but I managed to avoid their gazes. After what happened with Poppy earlier by the lake, I'm not ready to talk to either of them yet.

"Minerva!"

I turn and see both of them hurrying down the corridor to catch up with me and I resist the urge to groan.

We need to talk, Minerva." Rolanda says when she reaches me.

I sigh, "Not now Ro. You don't understand…"

"Well, Poppy told me what happened at the lake. I know all about your vision and the fact that you somehow think you're responsible."

I flinch. "Rolanda…"

"It's absurd, Minerva. Why can't you see that? Okay, you had a vision, so what? It's not going to make us see you any differently. Seers are not common, but they do exist. I should be insulted that you thought that any of us would think less of you for it."

I stare at her. So what?

I shake my head, "I still had a warning of Myrtle Warren's death and decided not to say anything about it! Telling me you wouldn't have looked at me differently only makes it worse!"

I turn away to walk further down the corridor toward my rooms but my friends follow me.

"You have no way of knowing if that would have made a difference, Minerva! Even if you could have figured out what it meant, what were you going to do? If you had been there, maybe we'd have two victims instead of one!"

I shake my head again. "I don't—"

Rolanda's hand is on my shoulder and turning me to face her before I can finish the sentence.

"Don't you dare say you don't care."

The words are so forceful that all I can do is stare at her. I wasn't expecting that level of venom in her tone. The last time she looked this upset with me was after I saved Silvanus. I glance at Poppy behind her, who doesn't seem as surprised as I am.

"Believe me, we are all fully aware of how little you worry about yourself— but don't you ever tell me you don't care about your life."

I look down at my hands. That may not have been exactly what I was implying, but would I have put my life on the line to save Myrtle if given the chance? Yes.

"She was just a child, Rolanda."

Rolanda sighs. "I know, Min. It was tragic, and we all hate that Myrtle Warren died. But it doesn't mean you need to blame yourself for it."

I don't say anything in response. It's silent in the corridor for a few moments until I hear Poppy's voice.

"Minerva,"

I look up at her over Rolanda's shoulder briefly, but I look away again almost immediately.

"Look at me. Please."

It takes me a few seconds, but I do finally manage to meet her eyes. She smiles a little when I do.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

"Oh Minerva," She shakes her head and steps forward to grab my hand. "It's alright."

"Don't lie, Poppy. I saw the tears, I know I scared you."

She sighs, "You're so clever, Minerva, but sometimes your lack of awareness astounds me. I wasn't crying because you scared me, silly. I was crying because of how negatively you view yourself."

I open my mouth to respond, but I can't think of anything to say. "What?"

"You said you didn't deserve comfort, that shutting yourself away was the safest thing for everyone. You said you were just as awful and selfish as everyone always said you were."

I flinch at the words even though I'm the one that said them. "I know you don't understand why, but I'm not—"

"Knock it off, Minerva!" Rolanda's angry voice interrupts me and both of her hands are on my arms now as she shakes me.

"We don't give a damn what happened in the past. I will personally hex anyonewho ever had the audacity to convince you that you're some terrible monster, because it's painfully clear someone did!"

I'm so shocked I don't even attempt to stop her when she shakes me. Even Poppy looks a little surprised, but she doesn't move to stop her, either.

"Hell, you nearly got yourself killed saving one of your enemies, Minerva. You are always so ready to put yourself in harm's way for other people, you could never be called selfish. If you continue to insist otherwise I swear I will seal your mouth shut until you're willing to say something nice about yourself!"

I don't comment on the fact that that is considered a dark charm; The way she looks right now I honestly don't think Rolanda would care.

There's a tense silence in the corridor and I'm grateful there's no one around but us.

"You are one of the kindest, most caring people I've ever met, Minerva. No, don't look at me like that." Poppy says when I make a face.

"I'm not going to ask why you see yourself this way even though it breaks my heart. I hope that one day you trust us enough to tell us what you are so afraid for us to know. Clearly you're used to being treated very differently, but we are not going to condemn you for something you didn't do, regardless of the vision you had that might have changed the outcome."

For just a moment I consider opening my mouth to correct Poppy, because it isn't that I don't trust them. On the contrary, I think I would trust Poppy, Rolanda and Albus with my life—and that's what makes it so bloody terrifying. On the off chance that my worst fears are confirmed, they could break me so easily. I know trying to explain that right now would likely only rile Rolanda up again, though, and that's the last thing I want.

"Every one of us wishes we could have done something differently, Minerva." Rolanda's voice breaks me out of my thoughts.

"But for the love of Merlin you have got to stop bloody torturing yourself."She sounds like she could keep yelling at me, but she manages to reign it in.

"Don't you want to find out what's causing this and stop it?"

I move my eyes up to her now, surprised by the question. "Of course I do, Ro."

"Then help us, Min. You would do almost anything to prevent this from happening again. You're no good to anyone like this, and you and I both know how much you hate feeling useless."

I don't say anything for several long moments. She's right, of course. I do despise that feeling. I didn't even realize it until now, but that's exactly what I've been doing.

This entire time I could have been helping them find the culprit and instead I've been hiding in my rooms feeling sorry for myself.

The thought makes me want to kick myself again, but I force myself to shake it off. When I look back up, both of my friends are staring at me. Rolanda looks poised to argue further if need be and I can see Poppy beginning to look concerned by how quiet I am. It looks like they're both holding their breath, and I sigh.

"Thank you."

Both women blink at me in a way that almost makes me want to laugh. They look at each other before turning back to me.

"I'm sorry?" Poppy asks, the confusion clear in her tone.

I smile slightly and step forward to place a hand on both of their arms. "You're right, both of you. I cannot concede that I don't have some level of blame in this, but you're right that continuing like this won't be useful to anyone. Thank you for reminding me of that."

"As for the rest of it," I look directly at Poppy now, remembering the look on her face when she mentioned my lack of trust in them.

"It's not that I don't…" I trail off with a sigh. "Please just be patient with me. I have quite a few bad habits to break myself of, but I am trying."

Poppy smiles at me, "I'm sure it's difficult when you're not used to having people around to support you, but I'm at least happy to hear that."

"And if you start to doubt yourself, come to us." Rolanda says, fixing me with one last glare. "Because if you don't, so help me I will curse you next time."

The threat makes me laugh even though I'm ninety percent sure she means it.

I take a deep breath as I knock on the portrait door to steady my nerves. The door opens after only a few seconds and I look into confused blue eyes.

"Minerva?"

I smile at Albus somewhat shyly when he opens the door. "Hi. I'm sorry to disturb you. I can come back if it's not—"

"No, no!" He steps forward quickly with a hand out to stop me. "Please, come in."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I'm sorry, I was just a little surprised."

I step into his office but move my eyes away from his. "I know, I'm sorry. Poppy and Rolanda mentioned you were worried about me, so I just wanted to come and put your mind at ease."

"I appreciate that," Albus says. He closes the door behind me and motions for me to sit down on the couch.

"Are you alright?" He asks, sitting down beside me.

I sigh, "I don't know if I'm alright, exactly, but I'm better."

Albus doesn't say anything, and it's enough for me to look back up at him. "I assume Poppy and Rolanda explained it to you?"

He hesitates for just a moment before nodding, "Yes. I'm sorry if—"

I wave him off before he can finish the apology. "No it's okay. I'm relieved, honestly. I don't know if I have it in me to explain it all again."

It's silent for a few moments before Albus looks at me again. "How long have you been able to do this, the visions?"

I shrug, "I don't recall the first time, but this is the first vision I've had since I've been here."

I suddenly have significant trouble looking him in the eye and he sighs. "Minerva, please don't look at me like that."

I furrow my brow, confused. "Like what?"

"Like you're waiting for me to turn against you."

I sigh, too. "I'm sorry. It's not you, I promise."

"Then what is it?"

"Not everyone has been as…" I hesitate trying to find the right words. "Understanding

about my visions as you, Poppy and Rolanda have. It was always something that I was meant to hide and yet another thing that kept everyone far away from me."

"Minerva," Albus reaches forward to grab my hand on the couch. "I never would have guessed you were a Seer, but it doesn't make me see you any differently."

I shake my head, "I know that now, but I was terrified of how you would react, Albus, so I kept my mouth shut. When I realized it was a warning about Myrtle Warren, I just couldn't take it."

I force myself to look him in the eyes now. "I'm not sure I can forgive myself for choosing to do nothing. I might have been able to save her, Albus. "

"Perhaps." Albus concedes, squeezing my hand. "But perhaps not. Even the best divination wizards will properly interpret their visions only a handful of times in their life. How can you blame yourself? You can't, and no one else does. You must learn to be kind to yourself, Minerva."

I sigh, giving him a small smile. "You're right, I'm afraid I've never been particularly good at that."

Albus smiles at her reassuringly, but it fades after a moment because he knows he has to tell her about Tom Riddle's accusation against Rubeus Hagrid. He's put it off long enough—Armando will be telling the staff tomorrow, but he doesn't want Minerva to find out like that. His anxiety must show on his face, because he feels Minerva squeeze his hand.

"Albus? Are you alright?"

He focuses his attention back on the woman in front of him and sees concern in her eyes.

"Yes, I'm sorry. There is something I've been meaning to discuss with you, though."

"Oh?"

Albus nods, "I should have mentioned it to you before, but it's not pleasant and I was afraid…"

Albus trails off, but I know he means he was worried about how I might react to whatever he says.

"It's okay, Albus." I reassure him. "Go ahead and tell me. What is it?"

He sighs. "Rubeus Hagrid has been accused of being behind the attacks."

My mouth drops open immediately and I'm sure the color has drained from my face.

"What?! How—"

"The night Miss Warren's body was removed from the school, Tom Riddle discovered him hiding a dangerous magical creature. The board of governors believes that creature is responsible for the attacks."

I blink, shaking my head. "Wait, wait—you said Tom Riddle was the source of the accusation? What creature did he have?"

Albus nods. "Yes, I know. I'm suspicious too. It's far too convenient, particularly when you consider the boy's odd behavior that night. It was a young Acromantula, but it ran off when Tom confronted him. Hagrid has been viciously denying it, but no one will listen to him."

My eyes widen. "Why?! They can't just ruin a child's life on a whim! Do Acromantulas even have these abilities?"

"No, they don't; but the Board of Governors is so desperate to save the school, they don't want to even entertain the idea that it might be a scapegoat."

"That's ridiculous! What does Armando say? Please tell me he doesn't believe Hagrid could do such a thing."

"Armando doesn't believe it either, but the decision has been made. Hagrid is beside himself."

I feel my eyes burning thinking about what the poor boy must be going through. He's a quiet, shy boy with very few friends, but I know with zero doubt in my mind that he would never do anything to harm another person.

"What will happen to him, Albus?"

"He'll be expelled—which means the Ministry will confiscate his wand."

"His wand? But Albus, that means—"

From that point on, Hagrid will be forbidden from practicing magic.

I feel sick to my stomach instantly. Expulsion is the worst possible punishment for a student, one that affects them for the rest of their life—how can they do that to Hagrid without being one hundred percent sure he's the culprit?

"What can be done, Albus? There has to be something!"

Albus steps forward to put his hands on my arms. "Don't panic, Minerva. It's awful, I know—but I have a plan."

I look up at him. "You do?"

"Of course I do, Min." He smiles at me. "I'm not going to allow the poor child to be disgraced when I don't believe for a moment he's done anything wrong."

"Thank Merlin," I breathe.

"I want you to help me with it."

The relief I feel evaporates into thin air. "What?"

"You believe the boy is innocent just as much as I do, Minerva. You'll feel better knowing you helped him."

I hesitate before shaking my head. "I chose not to act when I could have had the chance to save Myrtle Warren, and now someone else's life could potentially be ruined because of it."

"Minerva, look at me."

I ignore his request to stare at my hands instead. Albus closes the remaining distance between us and puts his hand under my chin to make me look him in the eyes. Despite the shame I currently feel, I don't fight it.

"Listen to me. Why deny yourself the opportunity to assist another innocent child if you can? Don't sacrifice someone you can save because of guilt over someone you couldn't."

I stare at him. His eyes are impossibly blue and so genuine it's almost hard to maintain eye contact with him. There's a large part of me that wants to deny what he's saying, but I can't because he's right. Nothing will ever make me not feel guilty about Myrtle—but that doesn't mean Hagrid should be blamed for it, and at the very least I'll feel better about the fact that I was able to help one of them.

I take a deep breath and swallow hard against the lump in my throat. Albus's hand is still resting under my chin, but I nod.

"Alright, Albus." I whisper, giving him a ghost of a smile. "What's your plan?"

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please review!

Until next time...

~Neve