A/N: I'm sooo sorry for the delay on this guys. My muse has decided to take a holiday, but happens to be back now. I hope the length of this chapter makes up for the delay and I have the next one ready and waiting to be posted. I seem to be losing the motivation to write this though, so any motivation any one can provide would be most appreciated.

This chapter has a WARNING of M RATED content!

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, alerted and fav'ed this fic. It makes me feel a little better about it.
Enjoy!

Chapter Five: Second Year

When Minerva and Hermione arrived at the castle the day before the other students were due to arrive, they were both pleasantly surprised to be met by both Albus and Severus in the entrance hall.

"Albus? Are you really here?" after seeing his nod Minerva ran the short distance to him and threw her arms around his neck. Tears of happiness falling quickly down her cheeks.

"Hey, don't cry love. I'm here. I'm here." Albus brushed his lips against hers softly and wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"Don't you ever leave me like that again Albus. Please."

"I will try my best love."

"That isn't good enough!"

"But you know that I cannot promise that."

Minerva nodded her head and leaned back into her husband.

Meanwhile Hermione and Severus were stood off to the side watching the pair together in silence, until Severus broke the silence and started a conversation on recent book they had both read over the summer. Minerva didn't want to break them up but had no choice.

"Hermione, come along, we need to get you settled."

Hermione nodded and turned to Severus. "See you later, Professor."

"That you will."

Smiling, Hermione bounced over to Minerva and walked with her and Albus to their chambers where she would spend the night.

"Once you've unpacked you can go to the library if you would like."

"Can I go to the dungeon and help Professor Snape out?"

"I'll speak to him, but it shouldn't be any trouble."

"Okay, thank you Minerva."

"It's okay my dear, now go and unpack."

Hermione nodded and did as she was told.

Albus had watched the whole exchange and smiled. He pulled his wife in for a hug and rubbed her back.

"You seem comfortable with her."

"Of course, she spent the last three weeks with me at the Manor."

"Why?"

"Her parents were leaving her on her own for the rest of the summer while they went on their yearly travels."

Albus nodded in understanding. "Is she okay?"

"She is."

"What about you? Are you okay?"

"I'm alright."

"I'm glad to hear." Albus sat them on the sofa and Minerva curled up into his side, her lids already weary and heavy. "Now, tell me what you and our Hermione did while I was away."

"Not a lot Headmaster." Hermione said from the doorway of 'her' room.

"What do you mean?"

"The way you worded you last letter really upset Minerva. I spent a lot of the last two weeks trying to make her feel happy while trying to get her to eat and sleep."

"Is that true, Minerva?" She nodded. "Oh Min," he sighed.

"I'm sorry Albus," she whispered, a single lone tear fell down her cheek.

"Hermione, would you mind going down to Severus? Tell him I sent you."

"Okay." Hermione kissed Minerva's cheek before heading out.

When the door closed behind Hermione, Albus picked Minerva up and took her to their bedroom. He lay her on the bed and then lay with her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and placed a hand on her waist and rested his head on his other hand.

"Talk to me Minerva."

"I'm fine now you're here."

"What made you so upset, what did I do?"

Minerva closed her eyes, not wanting to think back to the letter, but having no choice in the matter. " 'I'm so sorry to be writing you this letter', 'taken a turn for the worse', 'I am fine' and 'I do so love you'. Do you know what sort of state my mind was in when I sent letters to you and I got nothing back? I was so scared Albus." Minerva let the tears she had been holding back fall full force and Albus brought her securely into his arms.

"I'm so sorry my love. So, so sorry. I don't know how to make what you're feeling go away. I wish I could promise that I will never leave your side, but I don't want to break a promise that I make to you. Albus peppered her face with kisses. "Tell me how I can help Min, please," he pleaded.

"Make love to me Albus. Prove to me that you're really okay and still here with me."

Albus smiled and lowered himself so that he could bring Minerva into a heated kiss. Their tongues duelled for dominance and Minerva moaned in peasure. Albus slipped his hands under her shirt and ran his fingers lightly across her side, back and stomach, making her arch her back. Minerva wanted to feel Albus' skin against her own, so she pulled his own shirt from his trousers and pressed her hands against his chest. She broke away for a moment and found the magic clasp with her teeth that undid all of Albus' shirt buttons. She smiled and pressed kisses along his chest and neck until she finally reached his mouth, when she brought his head down to hers and kissed him with all the built up passion, love, lust and relief that she had in her body. Albus kissed her back with equal favour making them both groan. Minerva slipped off Albus' shirt and lifted her arms allowing Albus to rid her of her top. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her flush against his chest. He groaned at the feeling of her lace clad breasts against his bare chest. Their hands continued to wander until they ended with their hands on lower halves. Albus ran a hand up Minerva's leg and her skirt slid up with the movement. He gently caressed her outer and inner thigh until he reached Minerva's lace panties. He stroked her through them and she shouted his name in surprise and pleasure. With a little struggling, Minerva managed to semi-free Albus' pulsing erection and held it in her hand just as he pushed a single finger into her, causing him to jolt and for the two to moan out load together. They continued to tease each other like this until Minerva could take it no more.

"Albus, please, stop, I need you inside me," she panted.

Albus smirked and pressed a kiss to her lips. "As you wish."

And with a flick of his hand they were both naked and skin to skin. They moaned on contact and Minerva pressed herself tight against him. With their lips locked and tongues duelling, Albus turned them so that Minerva was on her back and he was snug between her legs. Minerva wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him fully on top of her.

"Make love to me Albus," she rasped.

Alb us couldn't hold his desire back any more and slowly slid home after three weeks of being away. Both groaned loudly at the feeling and Albus stilled for a moment, both enjoying the full feeling before moving. He started of slowly and lovingly, but on Minerva's wish, he pounded into her, making her scream and him moan. They kept up the fast pace until both came undone. Albus collapsed to the side and pulled Minerva to his side, and held her tightly. Minerva sighed contently and laid a kiss on his chest before resting her head over his heart and closing her eyes. Albus pressed a kiss to her crown and ran his fingers through her now lose raven locks.

"Was that an acceptable apology?"

"The best." Minerva yawned. "But now I'm so tired."

Albus chuckled and pulled the blanket over them. "Sleep for an hour Tabby. I'll wake you up."

"Okay. I love you, Albus."

"I love you too, Minerva."

While Minerva slept, Albus took the time to take in the changes to his wives body. Minerva had always been thin and always had to watch her eating so she wouldn't become anorexic again. She was always on the bored and Albus hated it. As he finished his visual check of his wife, he noted that she had dropped below the border and it brought tears to his eyes. It took so much work the last time to get her back to 'normal'. Now she had gotten into the habit of missing meals or not eating at all, she would stay in it until she was dragged out of it and Albus knew that the stress of the next school years would drag her down further. Sighing, Albus woke Minerva so that they could shower and meet the new defence against the dark arts professor.

~0~0~

Fifteen minutes later, Minerva and Albus were exchanging wary looks with each other as the only applicant and therefore new defence against the dark arts professor boasted about himself and the things that 'he' had done. Finally, after signing all of the relevant papers, Albus allowed Filch to show Gilderoy Lockhart to his rooms while he brought his wife into his arms.

"I can't believe we have actually taken him on, Albus."

"I had no choice Min, you know the rule just as well as I."

"I do, and I don't want the Ministry sticking their nose in."

"Indeed."

"But Albus, I very much doubt he's done any of those things. He's rude and self centred and I have no doubts that he's using being a professor here for publicity and not because he wants to help the children."

"I have to agree with you on that, Min."

Minerva nodded and against Albus' chest and closed her eyes, tired. "What have you got planned for tonight, Al?"

"Just paperwork. Yourself?"

"Same. I was going to ask Hermione if she wanted to help, so that we could sit together in the study or living room."

"Okay, but once Hermione is in bed, we need to talk."

Minerva nodded and closed her eyes again, knowing what said conversation was going to be about.

~0~0~

That night after paperwork had been finished and Hermione had spoken about her day with Professor Snape and her plans for the next day, Hermione gave both Professors a hug and bourse over to her room to sleep, leaving Albus and Minerva alone in the living room. Albus brought Minerva into his lap and held her close so that she couldn't escape as he knew she wanted to.

"Minerva, love, did you eat in the time I was away?"

"Not much, my mind was so busy, most days I stayed in bed."

Albus nodded. "I want Poppy to come and check you over. I noticed earlier that you've slipped below the weight line again."

Minerva sighed and rested completely against her husband as a tear slipped down her cheek. "I don't want that battle again, Al. It was hard enough the last time."

"Don't worry, Hermione and myself will be by your side the whole time."

Minerva looked panicked. "I don't want her to know, Albus."

"She's an intelligent girl Min, do you want her to figure it out on her own? She probably already suspects something is wrong."

Minerva sighed in defeat. "Can we at least wait to see Poppy tomorrow please?"

"Okay, but we tell her before the feast, okay?"

Minerva nodded.

~0~0~

The next morning after having been to see Poppy, Minerva and Albus went down to Severus' office to speak to Hermione.

"Minerva, Headmaster, what can we do for you?"

"We'd like a moment with Hermione please, Severus."

Severus nodded and went to his lab, leaving the three to talk.

"Yes?"

"Kitten, as you know, I didn't cope too well while Albus was away." Hermione nodded. "Well I –" Minerva looked at Albus to continue.

"Minerva had a few weight problem when she was a student and when she doesn't eat regular meals, she becomes anorexic."

"Really?"

Minerva nodded, as did Albus.

"You and I, Hermione, need to help Minerva back to health by making sure that she doesn't miss a meal and stresses as little as possible."

"Okay. Um – can I sleep in your guest room this year, please?"

"Of course, Kitten." Minerva opened her arms and Hermione walked into them, hugging Minerva tight.

"Please get better, Mom," Hermione whispered in her ear.

"I promise my darling," Minerva whisper back before placing a kiss to her crown and taking a step back. "Now, come back to our rooms two hours before the feast to get ready, okay?"

"Okay." Hermione hugged both Professors before bouncing off to find Severus.

"She took that well," Albus said with a smile."

"Perhaps on the outside," Minerva whispered before linking her arm with Albus' and the pair turned and went for a stroll around the grounds together.

~0~0~

The first few weeks flew by for the whole of Hogwarts pretty much without a hitch. Lockhart's lessons were dreadful and Hermione complained about them on a regular basis to both Minerva and Professor Snape. Severus hated the way that Hermione seemed disappointed with not using new magic, so allowed her to go to his office and practice with him. Both enjoyed the hour or so together after dinner. One day, Hermione decided that she wasn't feeling too well and skipped dinner. She took the long way through the corridors and stairways to the rooms that she shared with Albus and Minerva. On her way, she came upon a flooded corridor. Carefully, she picked her way across it so she didn't get her feet wet. She cursed under her breath as she stepped into an especially deep puddle in front of a wall. Sighing, she looked up to the heavens, but instead of seeing the beams of the ceiling, she caught glimpses of something red on the wall. Ignoring the fact that her feet were getting wetter, she walked backwards until she could see pretty much the whole wall.

'The Chamber of Secrets is open. Enemies of the heir beware.'

Hermione slowly lowered her eyes until they stopped at the seemingly dead Mrs. Norris. The cat was hanging upside down from her tail on a candle bracket. The seriousness of what she had just seen and the message that the wall in front of her bore. She gasped and took another step back, her eyes unmoving. A few moments later, the hall started to fill up with the students coming from the Great Hall, having just finished dinner. Soon enough she was surrounded by staff and students and she wanted to turn and run away.

"Enemies of the air beware. You'll be next Mudbloods." Came from a boy with platinum blood hair, stood at the front of the crowd to her right.

She felt Minerva and Albus (as she now called him) come up behind her and saw Filtch come at her out of the corner of her eye.

"You! You killed my cat! I'll have you!" he shouted as he walked up to her as quick as his crooked legs could carry him and grabbed the front of her robes as if he was going to hit her.

"Argus!" Albus called and Filtch dropped his hand and looked up to Dumbledore. "She is not dead, Argus. She is simply petrified."

"Pity I wasn't here, I know the exact counter-curse that would have saved her." Lockhart cut Albus off as he arrived and looked at the cat.

Albus carried on as if Lockhart had not spoken. "If I am correct in saying that Madame Sprout has just potted a new bunch of mandrakes." She nodded. "The potion to revive her will be made once the mandrakes are fully grown."

Filtch just nodded and glared at Hermione before slinking off, murmuring under his breath. Hermione watched silently as Albus and Minerva dismissed everyone before turning to Hermione.

"Come with us," Albus commanded gently.

Hermione nodded and followed Albus, Minerva and Professor Snape to Minerva's office as it was closer than Albus'. The rest of the staff quickly dispersed, most knowing what the message meant.

Meanwhile Hermione, Minerva, Albus and Severus were sat together around the blazing fire. The adults were sharing knowing looks and Hermione felt left out.

"What did the message mean? What's the Chamber of Secrets?"

Minerva answered, knowing that neither male would. "The Chamber of Secrets is told to be a chamber deep within the school that Salazar Slytherin built, and the message you found earlier, is referring to it being opened."

"But who's opened it, and what's inside?"

"Only the heir to Slytherin is said to be able to open the chamber. What's inside? Well, legend says that it is something that only the heir can control, a monster of some form."

Hermione nodded, but didn't like the worried look that each adult held in their eyes. "It's been opened before, hasn't it?" All she got were nods as answers.

A while later, everyone had drank a cup of tea and were saying their goodnights, staring with Hermione who gave every body a hug (yes, even Severus), whispered 'goodnight' and used the linking door to go to her room for the night. Severus went next with a nod and quiet 'good evening', leaving Minerva and Albus alone. Silently, the pair walked through the linking door and went through their nightly routine before checking on Hermione and then going to bed. Albus climbed under the sheets first and Minerva quickly joined him, immediately curling up to his side for comfort.

"I hope it hasn't happened, Al, I really do."

"As do I, Min. Hogwarts will not be safe if it has."

"We'll have to make sure that Hermione is always watched. I can't lose the only child we have." Tears started to slowly run down her cheeks and dampen Albus' nightshirt.

He tightened his grip on her and kissed her forehead. "We won't lose her. I'll do everything in my power to make sure she isn't killed."

Minerva nodded her acknowledgement. "I love you, Albus."

"I love you too, Minerva."

After a loving goodnight kiss, the pair closed their eyes, neither loosening their grip on the other.

Throughout the coming weeks, Minerva and Albus stayed as close as they could. Minerva worried and Albus reassured her. Bother were keeping a very close eye on Hermione, she was sticking to the rules that Minerva and Albus had set for her to follow, but there had been a few close calls.

The first quidditch match of the year came on the last day of November due to protests and concerns from teachers and parents whom had been told of the happenings at the school by their children. Everything was going well until Harry Potter got himself a rogue bludger. Minerva openly grabbed Albus' hand and put her free one over her mouth as she watched anxiously as the boy swerved and dived, trying to avoid the ball and catch the snitch. The excitement that bubbled up in Minerva was quickly squashed by the bludger ramming into Harry's arm and breaking it, causing his to fall off his broom. Minerva jumped up and all but ran to Harry's side to make sure he was okay. She heard that Gryffindor had won, but she was more concerned by the reason why Lockhart has his wand out and pointed at Harry's arm. She arrived just as Lockhart cast the spell, and not the right one. She watched Harry's arm go limp and she quickly walked the rest of the way until she was right next to Harry.

"Gilderoy, what have you done?" her voice was stern and left no room for argument.

"Fixed Mr. Potter's arm."

"Fixed it! There aren't any bones left!"

"Precisely."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Mr. Weasley, could you please take Mr. Potter to the hospital wing so that Madame Pomfrey can grow his bones back." It was an order, not a request. Once all the students were finally out of ear shot, she turned to Lockhart. "Gilderoy Professors do not heal students unless it is a life or death situation. I'm sure the Headmaster and myself mentioned that to you."

"You did, but I felt that I could deal with it and didn't see why Poppy should have to have such a petty injury to deal with."

"You were wrong Lockhart." Minerva turned on her heels and stormed off, working off her frustration and worry.

Albus spotted her from one of the ground floor windows and quickly went out to her.

"Are you okay, Professor?"

"That man should not be working here, Headmaster. He could seriously harm a student."

"I'm keeping a very close eye on him now. If he steps out of line I will call him up on it. You reached him before me today."

Minerva nodded. "Bloody dunderhead," she whispered under her breath causing Albus to chuckled. She smiled a little before linking her arm in his, and making their way quickly to the draughty old castle.

~0~0~

Just a few days after the disaster of a quidditch match, Colin Creevey was found petrified on the third floor corridor, his camera in his hands as usual. Minerva and Albus were curled up in the living room when the patronus of Filius Flitwick appeared and told them of the incident. Minerva lost all her colour.

"You go Min. I'll wait until Severus gets here to sit with Hermione."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, now go. I'll be there shortly."

Ten minutes later, Minerva and Poppy were joined in the hospital wing by Albus, who was starting to look his age these past months.

"Do you think it's true Albus?"

"I do Minerva. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Unless the monster is found, the school will have to be closed."

Minerva blinked back tears and nodded in understanding. Once they were happy that Mr. Creevey would be safe where he was, Albus walked a shaking Minerva quickly through the school corridors.

"Minerva, Albus, is it true?"

Albus nodded softly. "I want you to speak to Slytherins portrait. Say a Pureblood student of the name of McGonagall has been petrified and we need to know where the chamber is and also what the monster is, so that we can stop other Purebloods being petrified or killed."

Severus nodded. "I will do so immediately from my quarters."

"Thank you."

Severus nodded and left through the floo. Both Minerva and Albus checked on Hermione before retiring to their room. After slipping beneath the sheets, Minerva curled up to Albus' side, but did not try and find sleep, her mind too busy to allow her to do so.

"What are you thinking about love?"

"A way that the children could be taught to defend themselves if need be."

"And what have you come up with?"

"A duelling club led by Severus at least twice a week."

"That sounds like a promising idea, we would have to speak to Severus of course, and allow him someone to run the club with."

Minerva nodded. "I'll speak to him tomorrow."

"Okay my love. Now, think you'll be able to get some sleep now?"

"I'll try." She kissed him lightly. "I love you Al."

"I love you too, Min."

Smiling, they both sighed and let sleep take them for a few hours.

Minerva spent the next morning with Severus organising the duel club that she and Albus had agreed on the previous evening. By dinner everything had been sorted out and the club was to start. Albus announced it and got everyone to sign up for it. Minerva felt so better knowing that her students would be able to protect themselves if need be.

~0~0~

Christmas came and went and the New Year was started off with the petrifying of the Gryffindor ghost, Headless Nick and Neville Longbottom. Minerva was getting increasingly worried for the students of Hogwarts, and not just the Muggle borns, but the Purebloods too, seeing how they too, were now being targeted. She wasn't sleeping or eating despite Albus and Hermione continually trying to get her to do so.

Hermione wanted to help her 'mother' so she spent a couple of days in the Gryffindor common room listening to people's conversations, but specifically, Harry Potters. Hermione had quickly found that trouble usually found Potter and to find trouble, all you had to do was find Potter and you'd find the trouble maker. It took just two nights for Hermione to figure out what was probably the cause of the opening of the Chamber of Secrets. She went to Albus to report to him and hoped that he wasn't with Minerva as she didn't want to add to the worry that she was already carrying.

Hermione slowly walked through the halls of the castle, keeping to the shadows knowing that if either Minerva Albus found out that she was walking the halls on her own and at night, she would be told off like never before and the thought made her steps falter.

"Miss Granger."

Hermione jumped. "Professor Snape."

"What are you doing in the corridors past early curfew?"

"I'm going to go and see Professor Dumbledore."

Severus nodded. "I'll escort you."

"Okay."

The pair walked side by side quickly through the corridors until they reached the Headmasters office.

"Thank you, Professor."

"Of course, and remember what Professor McGonagall has said."

"I will."

Severus nodded and left, leaving Hermione outside Albus' office. She knocked lightly and entered when she heard Albus' sharp 'enter'.

"Hello Professor."

"Hermione dear, what can I do for you at this hour?"

"Is Mom here?"

"No, she's already asleep."

"Okay." Hermione went and stood to the side of Albus who turned to face her. "Um, I think I know how the Chamber is being open."

"How Kitten?"

"There's this diary that a couple of Gryffindors found with the name of Tom Riddle on the back. I heard them say that it doesn't have any writing in it until you write and then it answers back, like a conversation and that it pulls you in to show you it's memories."

"Do you know who the students are?"

"I know about Potter and Ronald Weasley, and I know there's a girl writing in it too, but I don't know who. I think it might be the girl opening the chamber because we'd realise if Potter went missing for any length of time." She said his name with a sort of hatred.

"Thank you for telling me, Hermione. Do you think you could get you hands on it?"

"I can try. But I wouldn't hold you're breath."

"Okay Kitten." Albus turned back to his desk.

"Can I stay with Mom 'till the morning please so I don't have to go through the corridors, please." Albus nodded and Hermione pecked his cheek before going through to his chambers where she knew her mother would be.

"Hi Mom."

"Hello Kitten. What can I do for you?"

"I came to speak to Albus. He said I could stay here for the night."

Minerva nodded and opened her arms. Hermione went and sat next to Minerva and relaxed into her arms. For the next few hours Minerva and Hermione spoke about school and books and generally relaxed with each other until neither could stay awake any longer and they each went to bed.

~0~0~

Hermione kept trying to get the diary from her fellow Gryffindors but after weeks of trying, she finally admitted defeat and told Albus so. Shortly after this, the Ministry decided that they would take away the person who was last accused of opening the chamber fifty years ago, Rubeus Hagrid. Albus was the one to take the Ministry officials to Hagrid's hut and inform him of what had been decided. The Headmaster didn't want to send Hagrid away and he despised the way that the Ministry were sticking their noses in with the school business.

That evening, Albus and Minerva were sat together in the living room, enjoying the peace and quiet that was so very rare during school time. Eventually, Minerva broke the silence.

"Albus, I heard some of my cubs talking about seeing Hagrid being escorted off the school grounds this morning. Is that true?"

Sadly, Albus nodded. "There was nothing I could do to prevent the Ministry from taking Hagrid. He was, after all, the one who was accused of opening the chamber while he was here at the school."

"I know that Albus, but we both know that it wasn't Hagrid. And he's been here for the last 50 years, why would he open the chamber now, when he could have opened it all those years ago?"

"I don't know my dear, but the Ministry just want to brush this under the carpet. You know that."

"I do. And, Albus, why didn't you tell me? I would have been there for him. He's one of my cubs!"

"Minerva, calm down love. He'll be fine and back before the year is out."

"But what happens if they decide to send you away too? What will I do then?"

"If or when that happens, you will carry on as normal and protect every single one of the students under our care, okay?"

Minerva nodded and sighed, leaning against her husband, she closed her eyes, resigned to the fact that she probably would lose her husband before the month was out.

And she was correct. Just one week after Hagrid was taken from the school; Albus was ordered to leave and did so as the entire council had signed the petition to have him removed as Headmaster. Minerva immediately stepped in and did as Albus had asked her to that night together and did everything in her power to protect the students. But her strength was quickly leaving her. She wasn't sleeping and if she did, it was for a couple of hours in the early hours of the morning. She was getting stressed and tired and as more people were petrified her stress and worried continued to increase at a dangerously quick pace. She came to the end of her tether just a week before the end of the year when she received a note from Hermione, that wasn't unusual as notes between Hermione and her 'Mom' went exchange at least half a dozen times every day, but it was the content of the note that was unusual and tore the last threads of Minerva's sanity apart.

Minerva,

I did some research on the Chamber of Secret and what sort of monster could be responsible for the petrifactions. I found it. It's a basilisk and it's using the school plumbing to get around.

Hermione x

Once Minerva had quickly read the note, she understood immediately and mentally kicked herself for not working it out herself. She went to move out back into the castle corridors, when she noticed a piece of parchment with red writing on.

Hermione Granger has been taken into the Chamber and will forever reside there.

To Be Continued ...