I have to face my enemy

Minerva woke up in the arms of her husband, content and feeling loved. She was happy again and this time because her husband was with her and not because he left her alone. Last night had filled her with new strength. She felt reborn and alive, much like Fawkes after he had burnt.

Soft arms were wrapped around her waist, clasping her to Albus' chest. He had tried to hold back and be gentle but she had wanted directness and violence. He had bitten her at one point of their long night. Minerva felt the soft prickling sensation of healing skin on her left shoulder. Her thighs seemed to be bruised and moving seemed almost impossible. She felt too heavy and content laying there half upon her husband, listening to his light snores and even heart beat.

Albus was awake and happier than a clamp in butter sauce. He held his beautiful wife in his arms again. He could frolic around like a young boy but that would mean to let go of Minerva. The very thought made him tighten his arms around her waist, drawing a faint gasp from her.

"I'm sorry, darling. Did I hurt you?" he asked worriedly.

"Not much", Minerva answered quietly, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder and neck to hide her flaming cheeks. She was slightly embarrassed by her gasp but the movement had caused her a little pain.

A gnarled hand traced her scars on her back gently and Minerva shuddered under Albus' touch.

"You really don't mind?"

The question was nearly inaudible. Albus, though, picked it up and continued stroking his wife's back, gently but persistent.

"I love you, Minerva. Your scars tear my heart out. I want to kill Voldemort for ordering the beating and I want to kill MacRae for delivering it. But, and I want to make that very clear, they won't keep me from loving you or alter the way I look at you", said Albus softly, meaning every word with his heart and soul.

"Oh Albus, I want to believe you but ..."

"But what?" interrupted Albus Minerva's ranting; it wasn't like Minerva to be that insecure.

"I ... I ...", she stammered, not really sure what to say.

"Is it about your scars?" asked Albus tentatively.

"No ... yes ... I don't know."

"It changed you, didn't it?"

"I'm so angry all the time. Sometimes I want to kill V ... Vol ... You-Know-Who and then at other times I want to hide from everything. But I can't go back, as much as I want to. I ... I don't know what I really want", ended Minerva lamely.

Her shoulders were hunched in defence. Slowly she reached over and took Albus' hands from her waist. Then she got up and turned her back on her husband.

"Minerva, please don't shut me out again", Albus pleaded, reaching out to her.

Minerva's eyes brimmed with tears as she turned around. Her eyes seemed to beseech him silently but Albus wasn't sure what she wanted.

"Don't ever leave me, Albus. Please. I couldn't live without you."

Albus was up on his feet and hugged her tightly to his chest.

"Life without you is impossible, Mina. I can't live without you either. I was so afraid you would shut me out and withdraw from life all together", said Albus close to her ear.

Minerva's breathing eased and her head rested softly against his shoulder.

----

The thought of killing Tom once spoken out loud didn't leave Minerva. She paced the castle restlessly, going unconsciously through all the places one could hold prisoners. It was for sure that the Order wouldn't take the captives to the dungeons because of the Slytherins and their loyalty to the Dark Lord. Finally her memory presented her with the picture of the Astronomy Tower. Contrary to the students' believe it wasn't only used for star gazing with rooms above ground but it was also home to cells deep underneath.

It was well past dark when she moved soundlessly through the long corridors of the castle. Suddenly a figure stepped out of the shadows in front of her.

"Now where are you off to, Kitty?" asked Molly Weasley, seeming huge to Minerva's cat form.

With a faint pop she transfigured back into her human form, eyeing Molly suspiciously.

"And what are you doing here?" she asked in return.

"I asked you first", Molly shot back, smirking at her friend's glare.

"I have to see him."

Minerva turned away from Molly and walked on towards her destination.

"Who?"

Minerva didn't stop but slowed down, even if only slightly.

"Him."

Molly frowned at that unsatisfactory answer. It took her only a few short moments to see the truth. Her frown transformed into a horrified expression. She hastened after her friend, reaching out and grabbing her by the arm. Minerva was drawn back and whirled around.

"HIM? You mean You-Know-Who. And how on earth is that supposed to help you?" asked Molly, barely able to keep her voice from screaming.

"I just have to see him. To face my nightmares. You were right about facing the memories if we want to live but I need to face him, too. I have to see him defeated and unable to harm me or else I'll be haunted by nightmares forever", explained Minerva defiantly.

Molly looked at her closely, looking deep into her soul and coming to a decision.

"I'll come with you. Neither of us should face this alone."

Minerva watched Molly and noticed that it would be in vain to try to talk her out of it. Molly had the same rights to face her torturer than she had.

"They are in the cellar below the Astronomy Tower", she told her, her voice pitched low. "We have to be very quiet if we want to sneak by the guards."

Molly nodded gravely and followed Minerva silently to the Astronomy Tower. Near the stairs down to the cells, Minerva transfigured again into her cat form. Then she sat down in front of Molly and looked up at her expectantly. Molly sighed heavily. They would get in so much trouble when their husbands found out. But despite her worries she raised her wand and pointed it to her chest. After a moment her appearance changed to that of a little dog, a Terrier.

Minerva walked close around her, rubbing her body against her friend in the cat way of showing affection and pride. Molly growled impatiently, making it clear that she wanted to get it over with as fast as possible.

The two animals prowled forward, carefully looking around bents and moving almost soundlessly through the corridors. The only sounds were the clicks of claws on stone made by Molly's dog form. Suddenly a throat was cleared behind them and they whirled around, Minerva hissing and spitting and Molly growling deep in her throat.

Remus Lupin watched this hostile reaction with amusement.

"Now, now, what's with all that hostility? You're not allowed down here. Albus and Arthur will skin me alive."

"Well, I don't care", hissed Minerva, turning back to human. Molly barked in agreement before closing her eyes and returning to her usual self.

"Now, you two lovely ladies will tell me what you're looking for down here and I just might be nice enough not to tell your husbands about your little exploit", said Lupin conversationally, leaning casually against the wall.

Both ladies in question glare fiercely at him. Molly's folded her arms under her bosom, starring Lupin down, and Minerva tapped her foot on the floor n a very irritated fashion.

"We demand to see the prisoners ..."

"No", said Lupin quietly but insistently. He wouldn't let them through to them.

"Stupor!" cried Minerva without warning and Lupin fell to the floor, stunned and looking wildly around.

"This is something we have to do, Remus. Please forgive us", whispered Minerva.

Molly starred horrified from the fallen Lupin to Minerva's drawn wand. Then she threw up the hands in helplessness.

"Let's go before you jinx even more people", she hissed at Minerva.

A flight of stairs ran down into darkness at the end of the corridor. Both women whispered 'Lumos' at the same time and followed them down. The air was damp and moss grew on the walls. There was a sound of dripping water somewhere and the light of their shone off wet brick. Cockroaches scattered in panic from the light and the air smelled of mold and mildew. None of the staff or students came here. These corridors hadn't been in use for centuries. Suddenly their lights reflected off iron bars.

Lucius sat on a bench at the far side of the cell, eyes fixed on the two witches. He jerked in startlement and his eyes flashed briefly green as the light swept over him.

Molly heard the faint metallic clink of chains. The thought gave her a little courage. She studied him in silence. He seemed smaller than she remembered. Perhaps it was only that she was now standing in front of him instead of cowering. His eyes travelled slowly over her.

"What are you doing here, sweetheart?"

"Don't call me that!"

The spurt of rage took her by surprise and she choked it back, clenching her fists behind her. If she had come here to administer forgetting or even forgiveness, it wasn't a good start. He shrugged, cool but she could see he was hurt. Did he still think she was his?

"Why are you here?" he asked aggressively. "To see me defeated and gloat?"

Molly raised her chin high and looked down on him.

"No", she said calmly, "I'm here to tell you that you don't scare me anymore."

"I don't. Your sure?" he asked and without warning he leapt up.

Molly screeched and backed up against the wall, heart pounding wildly in her chest. Minerva moved swiftly in front of her, pointing her wand threateningly at Lucius Malfoy.

"Let's go, Molly. Let's leave this scum here to rot", Minerva spat out, never taking her eyes off Malfoy.

"Your worst nightmare isn't here, Kittycat. They couldn't catch the Dark Lord. He is still out there and will come back for you", said Lucius, laughing madly.

Slowly both women backed away from the cell, Lucius malicious laugh still ringing in their ears.