AN: Okay, this chapter is considerably longer. I also tried to go a little bit more in detail about Tom/Voldemort and Minerva. I hope I made it clear enough. I'm having a hard time getting Severus' meeting with the Dark Lord planned out, so it may be longer than usual for the next chapter. Granted, I had issues with this chapter too. I find it hard to abuse Minerva. I adore and admire her too much! Anyway, enjoy, and thank you again to my faithful readers and reviewers. I haven't had to ask once! :D
Minerva awoke to darkness and a bed that wasn't her own. Memories came flooding back before she got a grip on where she was, smothering her. She had enough sense to take deep calming breaths as her eyes adjusted to the darkness; the hospital wing. A light burned on the edge of her vision, bouncing up and down and getting steadily larger. The light grew close enough and Minerva could see Poppy.
"You're awake," the voice was breathless as she put out her wand and lit several candles around the bed. Poppy sat in the chair and held Minerva's hand, sympathy and something else shining in her eyes. "How are you feeling?"
"Confused, in pain… Bored."
"This should help with the pain," Poppy handed her a vial full of potion that Minerva drank without question, her pain diminishing somewhat, "and Albus left you a few books to read."
Minerva nodded her head gratefully as she handed the vial back, but she was still groggy and confused. "How long has it been?"
"Only a few hours. Minerva…." Poppy paused, not wanting to upset her friend. "What happened?"
"You mean you don't know?" Minerva laughed bitterly.
"I know you were tortured and…."her voice lowered, "I know you were tortured and raped, but I want to know why and who."
Minerva closed her eyes and sighed. She wanted to sleep, to forget about everything that had happened, but knew Poppy wouldn't let her.
"Not now, please, Poppy," she hated how weak and pleading her voice sounded.
"I want to hel-" Poppy was cut off by a loud shrieking voice.
"SEVERUS GONE! ALBUS GONE! MINERVA NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! WAIT UNTIL THE MINISTER HEARS ABOUT THIS!" A few moments after the voice stopped, the infirmary doors burst open and a toad of a woman entered, her face flushed pinker than her clothes. "Poppy, you haven't seen Severus, Albus or Minerva, have you?"
Minerva sank lower in her bed, hoping to avoid confrontation with Dolores.
"I haven't seen Severus or Albus since this afternoon." Poppy had a warning tone in her voice, but Dolores ignored it completely.
"And what of Minerva? She hasn't been seen for almost two weeks!"
"She caught the Wizarding Flu, and I ordered her to bed for some time to rest." Poppy lied fluently.
"This school is falling into disorder!"Umbridge vented aloud as she swept out of the room, leaving Minerva and Poppy alone again.
"Merlin I hate that woman."
"As do I, Minerva. But don't think I'm letting you off that easily."
Minerva took a deep breath. She had wished to keep some of her past hidden, even from friends, but it looked like that was not to happen.
"Fetch the Pensieve."
"Albus left it here." Poppy summoned the stone bowl and set it on the table beside her.
Minerva didn't look at Poppy as she took her wand and drew the memory of the first night and placed it in the bowl. She watched the silvery liquid-gas for several moments, tuning out the world as bits of the second night ran through her head. Deciding to get it over with before she changed her mind, or lost her Gryffindor courage, she told Poppy to look at it. Poppy slowly lowered her face to the bowl and felt the world tip until she landed in Minerva's room.
Minerva dipped her quill in ink again and made a few more mark on an essay. There weren't any other marks on the page other than the name scribbled neatly across the top, Hermione Granger. With a sigh she replaced the quill in the ink jar and stacked the essays together on the corner of the desk. Her candle was running low and it was late. She started towards her room to change, but remembered that Albus would be stopping by after his late meeting. With another sigh she settled herself on the couch in front of the fire and opened her book. With her eyes busy following the words, she didn't notice the shadow that darkened the fire and loomed over her. There was a loud sound, and Minerva felt herself hit the ground, her wand rolling away from her hand; dangerously close to the fire. She started to roll over to stand up, but a foot pressed into her back, pinning her to the ground.
"Hello Minerva," the voice was deep and seductive, acting like they didn't have a care in the world.
She shuddered and tried to roll over again, if only to see their face, but they pinned her harder to the ground. She began to squirm as she fought the panic rising in her chest. She knew most of the castle was asleep. She kicked against them, but they were out of her reach. She growled in frustration.
"What do you want?"
"Isn't it obvious, Minerva? I want you," the way her name rolled of their tongue raised goosebumps along her arms.
Minerva let out another growl that was louder and higher than her previous one. They paid her no attention, but merely kicked her until she rolled over. She glanced once at their face and uttered a cry so shrill the nearby glass cracked ever so slightly. With little effort, he lifted her up and set her in the chair before stepping back and looking her over. She was shocked by the sudden change in demeanor.
"I warned you, Minerva. I warned you before you left Hogwarts," he moved behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders.
"What happened to you, Tom? What happened to the boy I knew?" Minerva's tone of voice was the same she used with misbehaving Gryffindors.
"I realized the unfairness of the world. That magic should be kept within Pureblood families."
"But you aren't a Pureblood."
Minerva didn't have time to defend herself before the Unforgivable Curse hit her. She convulsed off the chair and landed on the floor, tears lining her eyes. Once the immediate pain left she sat up and wrapped her arms around her stomach, glaring at him despite the tears that still lingered.
"Neither are you," he laughed bitterly.
"My blood doesn't matter." Minerva leaned back against the chair, knowing she didn't have the strength to stand.
"I'm willing to look past your blood-status. You are as powerful as any Pureblood witch. More powerful."
He leaned down and offered her a hand. Minerva didn't take it, too confused to do anything but stare at it. When the hand remained, she took it, and he helped her stand. She sank back into the chair and he moved to stand in front of her.
"You were so willing while we were in school. I remember those nights in the Room of Requirement." Minerva shivered as shame and regret washed through her. "We worked so well together, Minerva. Don't you remember?"
"I don't," it was a lie, as pitiful as they came, but she didn't want to admit the truth.
"Then perhaps I ought to remind you," his mood shifted once again as he forced her to lie on the couch.
Her breath hitched as his body settled on hers, and she struggled to take deep breaths. Minerva fought to keep her composure as he ran his hands along her body. She shifted around and tried to shove him off her, but he was too large. She hit at him with her hands, but he quickly grew annoyed and pinned her hands above her head.
"Now, now Minerva, this isn't how it used to be."
With practiced fingers he undid the buttons on her outer-robe. He sat up and lifted her with him to slide it off and tossed it to the side. He began to undo the buttons on her other robe, and it soon joined their robes. Clad only in her shift, Minerva shivered as he glanced up and down her body.
"It has been too long."
He moved towards her, trying to trap her underneath him, but she managed to kick him in the chest and rolled off the settee. She stood up with her wand in hand as he recovered and raised his own wand. Simultaneously they cast silent spells, and Minerva knew her shield charm had failed when she felt the tortuous pain of the Cruciatus curse. She fell to the ground, only be to forcefully lifted up and tossed back onto the seat. By now most of his clothing had joined the floor. Still recovering from the nearly-incapacitating pain, Minerva could do nothing as he lifted her shift off easily.
Poppy withdrew from Minerva's memories, knowing what would come next, but not having the courage to witness it. She turned to her friend, but was met with a head full of black hair. Minerva's breathing was deep, but Poppy suspected she was only faking. Knowing the witch would want solitude, Poppy removed the Pensieve and returned to place individual wards around Minerva. When she was sure no one would touch the tortured woman, Poppy returned to her office and the paperwork that awaited her.