AN: I tried to make this one longer, and you'll like the little cliffhanger. I do read the reviews, and you all had wonderful advice! I tried to incorporate some of your worries into this chapter. Some of you will have to wait until later chapters. I don't want to reveal everything at once. On another note, these characters still do not belong to me, and never will during the course of this story.

Severus stayed with Minerva the rest of the night, holding her close while she slept. Seeing her broken down bothered him. He was used to the strong Minerva that everyone could depend on, not the one who woke up screaming and crying from something she couldn't remember. As weak sunlight began to stream through her windows, a knock sounded at the door. Severus moved to get off the bed, but Minerva reached out in her sleep and grabbed hold of his hand. Shocked at the sudden gesture he hesitated, but another knock at the door caused him to loosen his hand and open the door to Albus.

"How is she?" He seemed shocked to see Severus there so early, but hid it well.

"She's better now," he shrugged slightly as he led Albus into Minerva's bedroom where she was still asleep.

"What happened to her?"Albus mused aloud.

"If you mean what put her in this situation, I think I might have an idea. If you mean this morning, I heard her screaming bloody murder and came in to wake her up from a nightmare." Severus shuddered. "You should have heard the way she was screaming, Albus. I've never heard anything like it. Not even from the tortures the Death Eaters have caused," he shuddered again, her screams never having left him.

"What do you mean you think you have an idea?"

"When I woke her up, she told me something."

"What was this something?"

"A name."

"Severus, are you being vague on purpose?"

"No, I'm just not sure if I should reveal it, or wait for her to wake up."

"Now, please, Severus."

"She said one word, Riddle."

"She thinks Tom attacked her?"

"She doesn't think, Albus," the other man dipped his head in acknowledgment.

"He hasn't said anything to you about going after Minerva?"

"Not a word."

The two fell into silence as they watched the sun rise and spread light over Minerva's calm features. They stood together for several minutes in silence, until the sounds of students in the corridors stirred the Headmaster.

"We should head to breakfast."

"I want to stay. I don't think it's wise to leave her alone, Albus. Whatever the Dark Lord did to her isn't bound to be forgotten quickly."

"Let me know when she wakes up, and I will send up breakfast."

"Alert Poppy, as well. Having some Dreamless Sleep might not be a bad idea for her."

"But her dreams allow her to recall what happened."

"Albus, I don't think she wants to recall what happened. I think the Dark Lord tempered with her memory so she wouldn't remember him right away, but I think most of it was protecting herself from the memories."

Albus gave him a pained look, but nodded in agreement before leaving the room. Severus sighed and conjured a chair next to Minerva's bed. He took her hand in his and sat back to wait for her to wake up, the echoes of her screams still in his head.

It didn't take long for the Transfiguration mistress to stir. No matter how tired and pained she was, habit had made her an early riser. Severus kept her hand in his and she blinked her eyes and glanced up at him.

"Severus," she drew the last letter out, turning it into an unsure question.

"Do you remember anything about last night?" Severus wasn't sure what to expect in response.

"I remember you waking me up." Minerva strained to sit up and leaned back against the headboard of the bed.

"You had a nightmare, and were screaming."Severus said quietly.

"How did you hear me? Please tell me I didn't wake everyone!" Minerva's face flushed and lost its calm façade.

"I was on my way down to the kitchens to find some Firewhiskey and felt the need to make sure everything was alright," his voice dropped into the indifference he usually used, as if it didn't matter.

"Thank you, Severus," their eyes met, and Severus could see the hurt and fear burning brightly in her eyes. Though Minerva McGonagall wore a brave and calm expression, she was anything but on the inside.

"Minerva, you said that it was the Dark-Riddle- who did this to you. But what did he do? Do you remember anything else?" Some of the indifference left his voice as he leaned towards her, making sure to ask the question gently.

Minerva nodded her head, once, slowly, already trying to block the images from her mind. Severus could see her internal battle and raised his hand to her shoulder.

"I know it's hard, but I need you to," a minuscule amount of pleading threaded itself into Severus' voice, but he ignored it.

Minerva took a deep, but shaky breath before she related her dream. Severus kept his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it every once in awhile to continue. When she finished, tears had formed in her eyes, but none had spilled over.

"Albus will want to know you're awake, and he'll bring food." Severus stood and headed into her outer room to scribble a letter to Albus. Minerva's owl waited patiently on her desk until Severus opened the window and coaxed her out. On a whim, he turned around and checked the wards on her rooms. At first glance they seemed fine, but Severus noticed a difference few others would. The magic was different, like the wards had been cast by someone else.