Sorry, it took me so long to update. Tomorrow is my birthday and I won't update until Tuesday (Monday is hang-over time :P ). Hope you enjoy this chapter and it gives you an insight on Mina's life. Next chapter will be pure ADMMadness. Please review.

Dark secrets revealed

Minerva broke free of Narcissa Malfoy's vice-like grip and hurried over to Molly. She flew at Molly and hid in her embrace. Molly hugged her firmly and whispered calming words to her. Narcissa watched in amazement how Professor McGonagall relaxed near her friend and former student. It was disturbing to see the way she drew strength from the woman Narcissa had always thought weak. She had to turn around. It was too much for her, seeing McGonagall not yet fully recovered and back to normal.

"Now, dear, tell me what has upset you?" asked Molly gently, still stroking Minerva's back.

"A-Albus t-told me t-that P-Poppy had t-to ... t-to r-re-remove my u-ut-uterus", stammered Minerva heartbroken.

Molly stiffened noticeably but soon relaxed again, smiling reassuringly at Minerva.

"I know, Mina. I was there and Poppy had no other choice. It was either you dying or the operation ..."

Minerva disentangled herself from Molly and starred at her disbelievingly. She retreated slowly, growing angry at her younger friend.

"You knew? And didn't tell me?" she asked, still not believing that she had been deceived in this way.

Molly sighed heavily, closing her eyes briefly, and nodded slowly.

"We couldn't let you die, Mina. You mean too much to us", said Molly appealingly.

"Albus knows how I feel about ... that", Minerva nearly screamed.

"Are those prejudices worth your life?" asked Molly reproachfully.

Minerva starred at her angrily. How dare Molly accuse her of wishing to die? She turned and stomped through the corridor away from Molly and Narcissa. Molly called after her but she didn't turn around. Again her name was called but she kept walking, turning the corner and quickening her stride.

Molly huffed angrily. Someone had to bring that woman back to earth and apparently it had to be her because her husband wasn't doing his job. Her eyes narrowed dangerously and she hastened after Minerva.

Narcissa watched the conflict enfolding and didn't know for whom she should feel sorry. She decided to follow them and try to ensure their safety from each other. She would prevent them from drawing their wands and jinxing the other. She ran to catch up with the two enraged women. Before she reached them, she heard their screaming.

"Why is that so damn important to you?" That was Molly's voice, sharp and demanding.

"Because it is my body. Albus had no right ..." Minerva's high-pitched angry voice.

"Albus had every right! He saved your LIFE!"

"I didn't ask him for it!"

"MINERVA!"

Narcissa steeled herself and ran around the corner. Molly and Minerva stood face to face and were screaming at the top of their lungs, drawing the attention of ghosts and students. She shouldered her way through the few on-lookers and tried to get between Molly and Minerva.

"You were dying, Minerva! Albus only consented to it so that you could live!"

"I'm rather dead than live like that!", screeched Minerva.

"Why? It's not that ..."

"OH, YES, IT IS!"

"IS NOT!"

"IS TOO!!"

"IS NOT!!!"

"MOLLY, SHUT UP! IT IS AS BAD AS ALL THAT! I'M NO REAL WOMAN ANYMORE!"

"What?" Molly asked, blinking at Minerva. "Why?"

"Because I can't have children anymore", said Minerva sadly. Her head was bowed and she tried to blink back tears. Molly starred at her. 'How can a bright, independent woman like Mina be so stupid?' she thought wryly.

"Mina, I hate to break the news to you but you hadn't been able to in quite some time", she said softly. Minerva's head jerked up, eyes flaring and hissing.

"There was a very remote chance", she amended defiantly.

"What? Are you serious?" asked Molly, not believing her ears. Narcissa, too, starred at Minerva, wondering just what went through the woman's mind.

"You heard me!"

"And you think that's all there is to a woman?" This time Narcissa asked hoarsely.

"Well ..."

"Minerva, I advice strongly that you think first before you answer", said Molly with a dangerous undertone in her voice.

"You're one to talk with seven kids ... soon eight!" It was a low blow form Minerva and Molly backed away from her.

"I wish I was in your shoes than be knocked up by a bloody bastard who ... r-r-raped m-me."

Molly turned away and pushed her way past some students, not really seeing them and just wanting to get away from Minerva.

"Molly? Please wait. I'm sorry", whined Minerva behind her. Molly whirled around furiously.

"SORRY? You're sorry? Well, sorry doesn't cut it! You're whining around all the time instead of being thankful that you're still alive and in your husband's arms. You're complaining about everything but you have no reason. I would glad rip out my own uterus if it would turn back time or if it would mean to be able to lie in MY husband's arms without feeling the hands of another on me", yelled Molly.

Minerva's eyes filled with tears and she came over to Minerva.

"I am truly sorry. You know I love you and didn't mean these things", Minerva said quietly.

"Sod off, Mina", huffed Molly. "You really hurt me ... and worst you hurt Albus."

Minerva took a step back and nodded.

"I know", she said heart-broken. Molly rolled her eyes.

"So what are you planning to do about it?"

"I don't ..."

"... know. Yes, I figured. You could tell me first why this 'remote chance'-thing was so important to you", reasoned Molly.

"Because of my children." Molly had to bend toward Minerva to hear the whispered answer. She looked up and met Narcissa's eyes. She nodded and turned to the students, shooing them off forcefully. Molly meanwhile led Minerva to the staff lounge nearby. Sitting Minerva in a comfortable armchair by the fire, she went to the cupboard and collected a bottle of brandy and two glasses. She poured a generous amount into each cup and placed them in front of Minerva and Narcissa.

"Drink up and then explain", she ordered.

Minerva smiled wryly and downed her glass in one go. The strong liquid burned its way down her throat and left behind a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach. On the opposite side of the table Narcissa spluttered, bright red in her face. She wasn't used to alcohol. Molly went to her and pounded her on the back. After Narcissa had regained her natural pale colouring, Minerva began her story.

"Albus and I had four children. Our oldest was a daughter. Her name was Kathlyn and she had chestnut hair like her father and green eyes like me. She was a natural in transfiguration and her greatest wish was to become an auror. I was afraid for her whenever she went on a mission with her father. He of course backed her up in her ludicrous wish to hunt down dark wizards and witches. After school she went to a training camp. The day of her final exam we saw her last. Kathyln was so proud that she had made it so far and would be a real auror by day's end. The final exam was to retrieve a stolen object and a captured comrade. We waited for her at the finishing line. All her training mates came back one after the other but she didn't. When night fell her teacher's had sent out a searching party. We never found her body or any sign that she was still alive. 10 years I prayed to God that He would give me back my child but He never answered me. After these 10 years the Ministry declared her dead. I have lost all hope to ever see her again."

Minerva paused, obviously fighting back tears. Molly went over to her and hugged her from behind. But Minerva swallowed her tears with great effort and went on, clearly desiring to get it over with.

"Our second child was Robert. Strong, handsome and dark-haired with striking blue eyes. The girls went mad whenever he was around. Albus and I were very proud of his scholastic endeavours with not his many affairs with girls. He fought against V-V ... You-Know-Who in the first war and was killed by him personally."

Again Minerva swallowed tears but this time trembling had set in. Molly hugged her tighter and Narcissa poured her another drink. Minerva gulped it down and shuddered briefly before commencing.

"I lost our third child when I was 6 months pregnant. I don't want to talk about it, though. God answered my prayers in a way. He granted us a new chance. I was pregnant with our fourth child and we were very careful. Never had I experienced Albus gentler or kinder. But Mairea was a whirlwind, creating havoc wherever she went. She is like both Albus and me. I have to admit that she inherited my stubbornness and she also as head-strong as I am. When she turned sixteen, she was sick and tired of being a Dumbledore. The pressure was too much for her and she disappeared after her O.W.L.s. We searched her throughout England and Europe. About a year later a letter from Australia reached us, telling us not to worry and that she had found a nice flat and work. Of course Albus and I travelled immediately to Australia, intending to get her back at whatever cost. She had erased all her traces and disappeared into the outback of Australia. Needless to say we never found her."

Minerva sighed deeply. She had finally told someone other than Albus about their children. Molly warm, comforting arms were still wrapped around her and she leant back into her embrace, cradling her head against Molly's bosom. Molly smiled they might fight but they were too close after recent events to fight for long.

"And you thought that God might answer your prayers and bless you with another child? I understand. But, Minerva, surely you didn't mean that you wanted to die ... did you?"

Molly's voice was tentative. Minerva turned around to her and smiled.

"No, I was just mad. I think I need time to digest the news", said Minerva sweetly. Then it was her time to look forlorn and ask tentatively. "Do you think Albus will forgive me?"

"Only one way to find out."