Chapter 8:- She's Stubborn

Sirius chortled slightly as he re-read the letter that Minerva had sent him two weeks previously. Her letters were sporadic, but they never failed to bring a smile to his face as he read her neat and slightly slanted script.

Dear Sirius,

I think I may have cemented Umbridge's hatred of me. Admittedly that isn't very difficult but I have (and this is a direct quote) promised Harry that 'I will assist him to become an Auror if it's the last thing I do.' I could have sworn that steam began to pour out of her ears once Harry had left the room. I thought of you afterwards – its something you would have found amusing.

I assume you have also heard of Fred and George's rather spectacular departure from the school. Courtesy of them we now have a swamp and Filch is required to punt the student's to-and-fro. The daft woman doesn't even know the counter-curse! And neither Filius nor I are going to tell her! Honestly I swear my maturity level has decreased down to your level. I've even been helping the master of mayhem himself (Peeves) in his endeavour to make life hell for her. Do you remember the chandelier that hung outside the DADA classroom? Well let's just say I helped him along a bit and it's now lying in shattered remains on the hallway floor.

Missing you more than I can say in words

Love Minerva xxx

Sirius shook his head slightly and placed the letter back into the envelope. He arched his back before rising to his feet and yawning widely. Sleep often eluded him and it was normally after midnight before he even contemplated slumber. He was just walking up the stairs when he heard the front door open. Curious he walked back down and padded along the hallway toward the sound of voices. His teeth began to grind as he recognised the voice.

"Are you certain?"

"I saw it Lupin. Of course I'm certain."

"Jesus Christ."

Sirius walked into the hallway and folded his arms across his chest. Severus Snape looked up and sneered.

"Black," he said scathingly.

"Snape," Sirius replied coldly.

Remus rolled his eyes and stepped between the two. "Enough!" he said sternly. He turned his back on Snape and faced Sirius.

"Now Padfoot I want you to promise that you won't do anything rash," he said slowly.

"What are you talking about Remus?" Sirius snapped, still eyeing Snape with distaste.

"It's Minerva, Padfoot," Remus continued.

"What's happened?!"

"In her Gryffindor stupidity, McGonagall decided that she would take on a hit squad of Aurors and Dolores Umbridge alone," Snape answered in place of Remus, "She took four stunners straight to the chest."

Sirius felt anger surge through his body and his hands tightened into fists. "I'll kill her," he said in a remarkably calm voice, "I will kill that bitch!" His voice had risen to a shout as he finished his sentence as he pushed past Remus and headed toward the door.

"Padfoot no!" Remus said grabbing his arm. "That's not going to help anyone!"

"It will make me feel better," Sirius hissed shaking off Remus' hand.

"As always Black, you seem to forget that the world doesn't revolve around you," Snape said patronisingly, "McGonagall's been taken to Saint Mungos. What are you going to do? You seem to forget you're one of the most wanted men in Britain." His lip curled in distaste. "And I must fault your taste in women Black if you've fallen for Minerva McGonagall. That woman's as frigid as…"

He didn't get a change to finish his sentence as Sirius lunged for him and tackled him to the ground.

"You know nothing you piece of scum!" he said pressing his wand against Snape's throat, "Take it back!"

"Sirius!" Remus said pulling his off Snape's body.

Sirius was breathing heavily as he fought against Remus' grip. Snape rose languidly to his feet. "I'll leave you to it," he said wiping the corner of his mouth. "Keep your dog on a leash, Lupin," he said walking past Remus and toward the door.

"And Black," he added as he reached for the door handle, "McGonagall is the stubbornest person I know. She'll survive four stunners just so she can put Dolores Umbridge in her place. Remember that."

He had opened the door and disappeared in a swirl of black robes before Sirius had a chance to reply.

"Sirius go and sit down," Remus said softly, "There's nothing you can do."

Sirius growled and punched the wall with considerable force, making a fist-shaped hole.

"And what exactly did that achieve?" Remus said rolling his eyes.

Sirius nursed his bloody hand as he fixed Remus with a piercing look. "It makes me feel better," he said softly, his voice breaking slightly. "I can't be with her Remus…she'll be alone in the hospital…"

He blinked back tears as he continued. "How would you feel if it were Tonks?"

Remus placed a consolatory hand on his shoulder. "As much as I hate admitting it, Sirius," he said with a trace of a smile flickering across his face. "But Severus is right. Minerva will pull through just to get back at Umbridge."

Sirius gave a harsh bark of laughter and turned away from Remus. He walked briskly through the hallway and up the stairs to his bedroom. Once inside he made a direct beeline to the chest of drawers in the far corner and withdrew a small box. He smiled slightly as he opened it to reveal a ring. The band was gold and in the centre was a large diamond flanked by two emeralds. The ring had been the only item that he had kept of his mothers.

"To match your eyes Min," he said softly as he placed the open box containing the ring on his vanity. He reached for a piece of paper and quill and began to write a letter he hoped she would never have to read.

"Sirius!"

Lupin burst into the kitchen where Sirius was placing the finishing touches on his letter. Sirius looked up in alarm.

"What's wrong?" he asked placing the letter in the centre of the table and leaping to his feet.

"It's Harry. He's gone to the Ministry of Magic!" Remus panted, "Voldemort's there!"

Sirius grabbed his wand from the table and rushed past Remus toward the door. From the sound of footfalls behind him he knew that Remus was close behind him. To his intense surprise Tonks, Shacklebolt and Moody were congregated in the living room.

"Ready?" Moody said in his customary growl.

Sirius nodded. "Let's go."

They hurried out the door and ran past the anti-apparition wards.

"Give me strength Min," Sirius whispered under his breath as he clenched his wand tightly. "Give me strength."

Author's note:- Only one more chapter to go! Please review! (I want ten before I post the next chapter. Lol.) Cheers. Minniequill