Catastrophe
Severus led Narcissa, still hanging numbly on his arm, back to the ground level of the castle. He consciously chose side corridors because he thought Narcissa would welcome the quiet and peace. She was not looking where they went. In her mind she kept hearing Lucius' voice. He had meant every word and she knew it. She also knew that, once set free again, he had the means to make good on his threats. Trembling slightly more than before, she latched onto Severus' arm with a death-grip.
"No need to worry. He won't get near you. The Order protects its members", assured Severus, interpreting her fear correctly. "Otherwise I wouldn't be standing here beside you now. Albus and Minerva were always kind to me and the first to trust me."
Narcissa nodded, still not entirely convinced by his words. What could they do against Lucius Malfoy, a death-eater who was taught by the Dark Lord himself?
"Severus, I-I'm not sure ...", mumbled Narcissa.
"We are talking about Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall ... I know at the moment she seems lost and ... But when she gets better again, you'll see. There's no match for her except for Albus and Filius Flitwick. And even they have a hard time."
Severus smiled proudly while remembering the glorious trio in whose protection he stood. But they were not only his protectors but also his friends. He had developed a strong bond to all three of them.
Minerva loved to sharpen her tongue in verbal duels. Most staff members were too wary of her and shied away from fights with the formidable witch. But Severus had answered her challenge and now it was a sport and both of them kept a record.
"You like her", observed Narcissa quietly. Severus nodded gravely. "This will come as a shock to you but she won't ever be the same again", added Narcissa softly.
Severus swallowed back tears. He would rather die than admit to anyone that Minerva McGonagall was more a friend to him than colleague. The thought of her being broken for the rest of her life was threatening to overwhelm and drown him.
"Can we help her?" he asked very softly.
Narcissa was surprised and stopped in her tracks.
"What?" she asked, assured that he had not just said what she believed she had heard.
"You are a woman and thus much better equipped to understand the female sex. Is there maybe something we can do for Minerva? Help her?" asked Severus seriously, facing Narcissa's astounded gaze.
"You are like no man I ever met", stated Narcissa almost inaudibly. "I know that you attempted the Dark Feasts with Lucius and Rudolphus, where they rape muggle women and girls. They came home still in a rage-induced trance. None of these men would ever have thought about their victims and the trauma they suffered."
"I try as best I can not to become like them", admitted Severus, looking to the floor and scoffing his toes. "I know I made mistakes in my life. Perhaps someday I can be forgiven. I pay over my sins every day. My hope is that if I redeem by committing good deeds ..."
"Severus, I think we both are forgiven because we helped saving Molly and Minerva. Arthur Weasley said something like that to Filius Flitwick."
Severus swallowed tears, bending his head a little so that his greasy hair fell forward and hid his face. Tentatively Narcissa stroked his hair back behind his ear and smiled shyly up at him.
"All I can think of that she may need her children ... or the one surviving child we know of", she said finally.
Severus nodded solemnly and smiled at her as well. Narcissa was shaken to the core when she saw tears glistening in the corners of his eyes. No man she ever knew had cried and let another person see it. Severus was most definitely like no man she had met before ... and definitely not like Lucius.
"Perhaps we can arrange for something", marvelled Snape, more to himself than to the woman next to him.
His eyes sparked suddenly and a wicked grin appeared on his lips. A soft tingling sensation rushed through Narcissa at this sight, not one of fear as Lucius would have invoked but of joyful excitement. She wondered what it would be like to have that gaze directed towards her...
'I'm still a married woman and older than he is", she chided herself sternly but in vain.
Embarrassed beyond words she tore her gaze away from him and bowed her head now, letting the long blonde tresses fall into her face.
----
Tom ascended the stairs to Dumbledore's office cautiously, always alert to the sudden appearance of the old man. The room hadn't changed much since he had last visited it. There were still all sorts of magical objects and machineries strewn all over the place. The stand where Fawkes usually sat was empty, feathers littering the floor beneath it. On the headmaster's desk were an assortment of official looking documents, paper wrappings from Lemon drops and Tom's wand.
"The old fool left it lying here for everyone to take!"
Tom was outraged and indignant. This man treated his things with indifference and carelessness. Didn't he know how many people he had killed with this wand? How many he had tortured with it?
He grabbed his wand purposefully and ...
What was that?
Noise from the staircase!
He had to get out of here. Right now he was too weak to face Dumbledore. He had no followers at his back.
Rushing over to the window, he dropped Minerva's wand but didn't look back. He reached the window, yanked it open and jumped out into the cool night air.
The earth was rushing towards him but Tom felt no fear, only exhilaration. He spread he arms and closed his eyes momentarily. Still falling, his arms transfigured into the wings of a great black crow. Tom loved his animagus form. The crow had always been the harvester of death and destruction. How appropriate!
He cawed into the night and directed his flight towards the Forbidden Forest.
----
Albus and Remus let the spiral staircase carry them up to the headmaster's office. Their thoughts were far away from their current situation.
"I hate to admit it, Albus, but I believe she is losing her mind ... slowly but ...", said Remus, not daring to look the older man in the eyes while telling him this.
"Remus, I don't want to hear you say this! Minerva will get better ... she HAS to!" Albus spoke with false fierceness, feeling none in his heart anymore.
It was killing him to see his wife losing herself in her devastation and pain. He wanted life to go back to normal. 'Tom must have a hold on her', thought Albus for the thousandth time, 'I can't come up with any other explanation for her behaviour.'
The staircase stopped in front of the door and he opened it without hesitation. Sweeping his gaze quickly overthe room, he noticed nothing amiss and proceeded into the room, Remus close behind him.
"We need to question Riddle again. Many death-eaters are still out there and we need to find them. No changes can be taken with these people on the loose", Albus stated sternly, sitting down on his chair behind the desk and placing the tips of his fingers together in his trademark gesture.
"I agree", said Remus, nodding his head vigorously and walking around the desk.
Suddenly he noted the open window and stepped closer slowly. Perhaps someone was lurking on the sill outside, listening to their conversation. Before he reached the window though, he lost his footing on something round under the soles of his shoes. He waved his arms around wildly but couldn't prevent the inevitable. Falling hard on his behind, he swore loudly before heaving himself on all fours and looking for the thing that had dripped him.
"What is it, Remus?" asked Albus, coming over to him.
"I don't know yet", answered Remus grumpily, but suddenly he held up Minerva's wand to Albus. "Whose is this?"
Albus' eyes widened to impossible size and fear shone in them. He grabbed the wand with trembling hands and let his eyes linger on it for a moment. Then he straightened up and swept his gaze through his office.
"Minerva! Tabby, where are you? Answer me!! Minerva!"
Never before had anyone heard a more pleading and terrified note in Albus' voice. Remus looked around the room now too. Panic constricted Albus' throat and he moved swiftly towards the door to the cells, a dark premonition rising in him threateningly.
"Minerva? Please, my love, answer me", asked Albus, growing desperate now.
Reaching the stairs, he hiked up his robes and ran down the stairs. He stopped dead at the foot of the stairs, his heart in his throat.
"Tabby? Oh, please no, Tabby", he stuttered out.
There lay his wife, curled into a tight ball and still. No rise and fall of her chest indicated that she was still breathing. Her back was to him and she didn't respond to his calling her name. Slowly he crept towards her, placing a gently hand on her shoulder and turning her unresisting body over on her back. Her eyes were open and she was in fact breathing, shallowly.
Albus fought his panic down, knowing that he would scare her otherwise, and cupped her face with his hand.
"Darling, are you hurt?" he asked softly.
Remus focused his gaze away from the couple on the floor and on the barred door to the cell where Voldemort had been in. The lock was melted off the door and the manacles on the wall were cut through cleanly. A suspicion rose in him.
"Minerva? How did Voldemort escape?" he asked quietly, ignoring the intense glare from Dumbledore.
Minerva curled again in a tight ball and sobbed. Her body shook from the strength of her sobs.
"I ... I set him ... f-free", pressed out Minerva through shattering teeth and violent trembling.
Albus and Remus starred at her. Neither man was able to form a coherent thought.
"I'm s-s-sorry", cried Minerva, turning away from Albus, sure now that he despised her.
Albus sat down heavily on the floor beside his wife and dropped his head into his hands.
"I see. Remus, alert the teachers and the Order. Every student is to be send to the dormitories and remain there for now. We will search the castle. Minerva, are you hurt?"
His voice was soft and he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. This time she was not turning away or shying from his touch. She leaned into it and sighed.
Albus smiled perhaps not all was lost between them. His hand cupped her cheek again and his thumb stroked her lips.
"I f-feel-l f-faint, Albus", mumbled Minerva.
"Then I will bring you to your rooms..."
"N-No, Albus", pleaded Minerva, meeting his eyes, "It's m-my fault and I have to..."
"As honourable as this thought is, Minerva, but no. I can't let you go off looking for him all on your own. I will not have it", replied Albus firmly.
"P-Please", begged Minerva and Albus saw the resolve in her eyes.
How long was it that she had looked up to him that? With some of her old fire in her eyes.
"Fine, you will take our DA and guard the Library. There are very important documents there. But, and I want to be very clear on that, you will stay there and not go look for Tom. Understand?"
His eyes pierced hers and he held her gaze until she nodded solemnly.
"I understand."
----
Minerva stood in the entrance to the Library with Harry, Hermione, Luna, Ginny and Neville. Luna wasn't really guarding. She sat in one of the comfortable armchairs and read a book about a famous medieval witch who had invented the first beauty potion. Neville stayed near Harry and imitated the other boy's movement. Hermione and Ginny stuck close together but kept a closer watch on Minerva than the door to the Library.
Minerva tore her eyes away from her students and fixed her gaze to the front. Suddenly she heard a shriek from behind and whirled around. Tom sat on the sill of one of the windows and had his wand aimed at Luna who lay now sprawled on the floor, being lifted out of her seat by the force of his curse. Hermione and Ginny advanced, fearful but steadfastly. With a casual flick he sent a torrent of stunning curse at the two girls. Both raised their wands and blocked the first two spells but where not fast enough to avoid the others.
Harry and Neville ran forward to help their falling friends but Voldemort again caught them all off guard. Lightning fast Tom transfigured into a crow and flew over behind Minerva.
"Tom!"
Minerva felt his hands around her waist, lifting her effortlessly until, for the she found herself sandwiched between a hard surface and his body. His voice was deep, almost a growl, as he answered her.
"I came back to claim what is already mine."
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Neville and Harry rushing forward. She hoped they could reach her and overpower Tom before he harmed her again. She shook her head over her thoughts. She was their teacher. She had to protect them. But Tom was faster than the boys. Years of living on the dark side and tuned his senses to oncoming danger.
"Stop right there, boys, or I will hurt your dear Professor", he growled.
His hands found hers and lifted them high above her head.
"Incarcerus! Just to ensure your good behavior", sneered Voldemort over his shoulder.
Minerva saw in horror as her remaining students, and help, was tied by the magical ropes from Tom's wand. Speaking of him; Tom's body was so close to hers that she could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest…or was that hers? She could no longer tell. Before she could respond, he continued:
"You can no longer run … from me … from us."
The anger subsided somewhat and a hint of sorrow took its place. He dropped her hands and lifted her chin to look in his eyes.
"I thought you were mine a long time ago; but apparently I was wrong. I will not make that mistake again. Now is the time to make you mine once and for all."
Minerva had been trying to focus on his words; but her body had other ideas. Tom had been the only person in her entire life to stand up to her – to call her bluff – to put her in her place. She had never seen him this angry – especially at her. While the Gryffindor in her balked at the idea of anyone pressing a physical advantage against her, the woman in her found it…She shook her head again, trying to disperse the unwanted feelings. As distracted as she was by the formidable male presence in front of her, she didn't miss the statement that he had once been in love with her and thought she had been too. She felt strangely bereft as he stepped away from her.
He started to turn away … perhaps this hadn't been a good idea. History should have taught him that forcing Minerva McGonagall between a proverbial rock and a hard place had never proven a suitable solution.
Minerva's chest was heaving – the anger, the yelling, the feel of his hard body – all were working in tandem to lead her to a place she had never been before. Before she could stop herself, she called out to him.
"So that's it? You hold me prisoner here, kiss me and then just leave me standing here in my anger. What a disappointment."
She was baiting him and she knew it; but she desperately wanted to see where this led.
The anger reasserted itself in full force in Tom's psyche. She wanted more? Far be it from him to not give her exactly what she wanted … after all, that's what she was accustomed to. And if one woman could get his dandy up, it was her. In a flash, he was upon her. His mouth claimed hers in a fierce, primal kiss before moving lower to mark the tender flesh of her neck. Large hands sought out familiar territory, eliciting moans of both pain and pleasure from the woman writhing against him.
The pleasure warred with the anger in her mind as Tom continued his assault against her body. Logic failed and instinct took over. Before she could verbalize her unhappiness, she felt her blouse being torn away – the sound of buttons bouncing haphazardly on the wooden floor signified that things were about to get out of control.
Tom was driven to possess her – to claim her as his – to prove he really was her master. The delicate silk of her blouse was no match for his desire to strip away all of the outward adornments that made her Professor Minerva McGonagall and to leave only Mina – slave of Lord Voldemort. There was a keen sense of satisfaction as the garment fell away like chaff from grain.
"Tom! I will not just stand here while you take such liberties! How dare you?!" Minerva vocalized her displeasure vehemently.
If Tom thought she was going to stand there and let him have his way with her without a fight, he was sorely mistaken. Her nails raked across his chest, eliciting a small moan in his throat – just enough to divert his attention. She flattened her palms on his chest and pushed hard, making her escape.
He watched her move across the room as she tried to make her escape. So that's the way she wanted to play? Only a second behind her, he gave chase. He caught her a moment later, eliciting a squeal from her as he grabbed her from behind around her waist and twirled her around before tossing her face down on the sofa. She tried to scramble away from his grasp, but he anticipated her move and pulled her back until her feet were on the floor. The upper half of her body was still on the sofa and his hand on the small of her back ensured she would remain in that position as long as he deemed appropriate.
Minerva was inhaling deeply from her exertion and from the position she now found herself in. She was afraid now. All she had wanted to do was yell at him and make him yell back at her. She had not thought it would go this out of hand.
"Let me up! NOW!"
Tom's hands skimmed her back and then over her bottom. She felt a cool breeze on her thighs as her skirt was lifted and bunched around her waist. His knee moved between her legs forcing them apart. Minerva felt more exposed, more vulnerable, and, she hated to admit, more…afraid than she had ever been in her life.
Tom stepped in between her legs and leaned over her body until he could whisper in her ear.
"Is this what you wanted, Minerva? Do you want me to take control? To claim you as solely mine until it is only my name you can think of?"
She struggled slightly against his weight and against her position. 'No!', screamed her heart, 'I'm Albus' wife!'
"Tom!" she demanded, again trying to move out of his grasp and hoping to throw her off guard with her stern tone.
One hand remained solidly on her back, while the other ripped away the delicate lace garment that remained the only barrier between him and his goal.
"Say it, Minerva," he demanded.
"Damn you."
His hand and fingers moved expertly against her, caressing in the way he knew would make her body quiver. But Minerva still fought him, remembering the last time she had been forced into a similar position by him.
"You're going to have to do better than that!" she hissed. "You broke me once but … aaahhhh!!"
Her hands clenched the bedspread as his touch set fire to her body while simultaneously hurting her most intimately. But she would not give him what he wanted that easily.
"Damn you, Tom! I won't give in, you hear me?" she volleyed back at him.
Tom increased his efforts and continued the maddening pace bringing her close to the edge and then slowing down again – leaving completion just out of her grasp.
"Damn me if you want; but I'm not letting you up or giving you the relief you so desperately want until you say those words to me, my toy."
Minerva renewed her efforts to get away from his hold and was rewarded with a quick slap across her bottom.
"Tom!! I never!"
"I bet you haven't…but I would also wager my life that you wanted to."
The normal alabaster tone of Minerva's pristine skin was covered in a red flush that was a mixture of anger, desire and embarrassment. A fine sheen of perspiration glowed in the moonlight as it streamed through the window. Her body screamed for release and tiny ripples of ecstasy spread through her abdomen looking for a means of escape; but was denied yet again. Using her arms, she pushed her body up and twisted towards him. She was about to give in just to end this torture as she heard the voice of her husband ring through the library.
"Go to hell, you bastard!"
Tom stepped away from his foe. He watched as she quickly scrambled to get her entire body sitting on the sofa, far away from him. He rubbed his face in an effort to calm himself and focus his attention on the new arrival. He had never seen Albus Dumbledore more furious.
Albus walked slowly closer though, he was no coward. His menacing glare showed prominently that he wanted to rip Mina's opponent from throat to toes, breaking his bones and insides into little pieces that could no longer or ever again touch or beat his wife.
Then again, a side of him didn't want it over with quickly ... He'd rather play with the ... man. No, Albus knew no man was as cruel, criminal, bitter, or revolting as Tom Riddle, and that, was something to say. He could not bring himself to stoop so low. Albus continued to walk closer until he was close, but still a distance from Tom.
The man sniggered and stared Albus in the eyes, begging him with his stare to begin duelling him, for Tom knew he was NO match. But was he correct?
Albus would fight like a champion, and be just as humble if he didn't come out as one. But he was also boosted by the want to kill Tom for Mina and because of what he had done to his beautiful, perfect wife. Albus wouldn't lose ... It would kill him if Tom killed Mina, and Albus couldn't have that. So, as the thought set in that he needed to finish this now, for Minerva was in danger, he drew his wand, pointed it at Tom, and began to duel as Minerva watched.
"Sectumsempra!" Tom yelled, but Albus blocked it.
He yelled it again, but again Albus blocked it. He continued casting different spells that Albus blocked with a lazy twist of his wand, but every now and then Tom would try Sectumsempra again.
Little did Albus know that every time you blocked Sectumsempra it became stronger. So when he finally went to block it again, and it became too powerful to block it would break through the barrier and come close to killing the headmaster.
"Crucio!" Albus yelled, and Tom gasped.
For a moment his eyes went in the back of his head then he shivered and opened his eyes slowly and evilly stared at Albus. He faked pulling up his wand so Albus defended himself for no reason and just as Albus defensive spell lifted, Tom made his move, yelling lethally one more time:
"SECTUMSEMPRA!"
Albus was thrown backward with much force, and he clutched at his freely bleeding chest, with his slashed hand. Blood was gurgling from his mouth and foam mixed with it slightly.
Tom snatched Albus wand and stared at it as he held it to the light. In quick succession he pulled it to his side and with a violent force, he threw it down, snapping it in two. Mina was the only one left now, with good wand, and good fight. How could she do it without Albus she wondered? But she had to. Fiercely she stood and ran to Albus, falling at his side as blood gushed quickly down his body...from his body. His veins were pulsing violently, his gasps were labored and quick...scratchy and painful. He heaved himself off the floor every time he breathed, shock beginning to wash over him
Minerva was too distracted watching her husband fighting death.
She didn't notice Harry stepping in front of her and blocking Voldemort's Cruciatus-Curse. The young boy was furious with the man who had not only killed his parents but had apprehended his teacher and his best mate's mother.
Never before had he felt this kind of anger rising in him. It was nothing compared to the anger he felt for Snape or Bellatrix or Malfoy. Well, honestly Snape didn't belong in this category anymore.
Lethal blue eyes fixed on Voldemort and for the first time the Dark Lord was afraid of the boy from the Prophecy.
Harry's wand was raised in the duelling position, ready to strike.
Voldemort circled him slowly.
"What do you plan to do, boy?" he asked teasingly, hoping to coax Harry into doing something impulsive and imprudent.
"I plan to make you pay for your crimes", answered Harry calmly.
The Dark Lord laughed haughtily before mock bowing in front of his would- be executioner.
Harry remained cool, calm and collected. McGonagall had taught him that. Never act on a whim. He waited for the more impatient amn to make the first move.
He didn't have to wait long. Voldemort raised his wand higher and aimed for Harry's chest.
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Stupor!"
Harry's cry mingled with Voldemort's. The curses clashed together in the middle and were thrown into other directions. The Killing Curse rebounded back to its origin. Voldemort's eyes opened wide and in the last second of his life he saw the green light of his own curse hitting his chest.