More than Colleagues

A/N: I have a small confession to make. As much as I love MMAD stories, there is a certain something to MMSS shippers. I have become enthralled. However, sorry guys, this story does not include that. On the other hand, I do hope you enjoy this exchange between Minerva and Severus. This was probably one of my favorite chapters to write and I hope you love it as much as I do. Also, this chapter is pretty short, but I really wanted it to stand alone. The next four chapters are plenty long and I know that because they are already written. Then there is the three unfinished chapters which have been a pain to me. So, you will get an update at least once a week. However, if I happen to finish a chapter, then you will get an update sooner.

"I returned them safely."

Severus's words rang from the doorway of the dark bedroom. The only light that bled in came from the window and the hallway so when he shut the door, it was hard to see the woman clearly. Minerva sat with her back to him and obviously had no intent on speaking to him. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he cleared his throat which caused a small sigh to escape his ex-Professor and colleague.

"Thank you." When he did not make any sign of leaving, she tilted her head in his direction. "Is there anything you want to say?"

"I must confess I am thoroughly confused on what has taken place in the last twenty-four hours."

"Confusing you was not the initial goal, but forgive me if I congratulate myself on the achievement." Sarcasm was the first language the two had learned to speak with each other and Severus flinched at the regression of what had become a well rounded companionship.

He watched her closely for a moment as she turned her attention back to the window she had been staring aimlessly at when he arrived. Running a hand through his black locks in frustration, he glanced briefly around the room. His gaze settled upon a wooden trunk that was just in her line of sight and decided to take a seat until she was willing to talk. He would sit there all night if he had to, but he needed an explanation.

"What did you tell them?" she asked in a voice that seemed as normal as when they had once been on the same side.

"Exactly what you already knew…" Curiosity would someday get the best of him, but two could play this game for now. In the shadows of the moon, he could swear he saw the corners of her mouth turn up.

"Why is it that people think I know everything when Albus Dumbledore would tell me nothing?"

"You didn't know?" The surprise was well hidden in Snape's voice.

"I had my suspicions." Finally, Minerva turned to look at him fully. "Nevertheless, I am still in the dark on some matters. I have come to the conclusion that Albus asked you to kill him so Draco did not have to become a murderer, but I am at a loss as to why he felt he needed to die."

"He was already dying. There was nothing I could do to stop it. He felt in order to keep my status as an agent here; I would have to kill him." He paused, letting her drink in his words properly. "I still don't think they believed me. Especially Potter…"

"It is not important that they believe you. It is only important that they allow your help."

"They may."

"Good."

"They have no idea what you are doing." She let out a dry chuckle at his comment and shook her head.

"It's better if I do this alone. They wouldn't want to know anyway, it would just cause trouble."

Yet again, silence over took the pair. Snape mulled over her words as she was lost in her own thoughts. After years of teaching by her side, he could not help but notice the change that had come over the older witch. The lines on her face looked grim in the moonlight and her cheeks were shallow and face was pale. Something that never failed to impress him, nonetheless, was her ability to carry herself with dignity and poise. Even being her colleague, there were times when Severus felt intimidated by the way she held herself. Age may have been taking its toll, but her self confidence and Gryffindor pride remained intact.

Feeling as if she was done with the conversation altogether, Severus rose to his feet. Before he left he had one more question to ask; something that had been bothering him since she first entered the fray. "When I first came to teach at Hogwarts, I knew I would be met with suspicion and disgust from most of the staff. I thought that you of all people would be the hardest to reach. How could you, the proud and mighty Professor McGonagall, forgive me, a lowly serpent with a murderous past? I knew you did not trust me from the beginning, but I will never forget that night after my first set of classes when you stopped me on the way to the dungeons. Do you recall what you said?"

"Forgive an old woman for her bad memory, but it has seemed to slip my mind." Shaking off her mild cynicism, he continued.

"You asked me how my first day had gone. Not just asked, no, you showed true interest. There was no pity in your eyes, no distain, no mockery. You actually cared. I replied that it had gone well and you seemed fight yourself for the right response. You finally said to keep my chin up. I wasn't the first person to fall for his tricks and I certainly wouldn't be the last. The difference between me and the men in Azkaban was I felt remorse and I could change."

"Was there a point to your story?"

"Why me? Why did you care about me?" Slowly, she pushed herself up from the hard backed chair and stood staring at him. In the darkness, time seemed to creep by and he thought for a moment he would not receive an answer.

"I watched you grow up, Severus. I knew all of my students better than they thought. I was not surprised to hear you had joined the Death Eaters, but I was highly disappointed. You were smarter than that, everyone said. There were two types of Death Eaters: those who enjoyed torturing and killing and those who were weak enough to follow. You fit into neither category. I knew the man you called master once upon a time and I knew his thirst for intelligence and learning drew him to you. The similarities between you and he were quite frightening. Tom always had a way with getting what he wanted and you would have been eager to fit in with someone who shared your intellect. Therefore, when you came back, I knew what you were going through and I could relate."

"Relate? Minerva, I have been working for the Dark Lord for decades and no man or woman has ever entered the ranks in a mere matter of minutes. I'd say you can do more than relate." The use of their first names comforted Severus in a way he did not know he had been vulnerable.

"I consider you a friend, Severus, but I am not ready to talk about it. It was painful enough to relive the memories while I was collecting them for Mr. Potter." He had lost her at the word 'friend' and a painful lump settled in the pit of his stomach. What did he consider to be friendship anymore? Surely he had hurt her enough by his actions.

"What does Potter have to do with this? What memories?"

"My, my, aren't we full of questions tonight?" She chuckled lightly as his uncontrolled blush. "Potter has everything to do with this, never forget that. As for the memories, I collected bits of my life to explain my actions. For now what you need to know is your master has good reason to trust me." Severus recoiled at her words and she did not bother to mask her surprise. "That is what you all call him, yes? Master?"

"Yes, but I don't like the feeling of belonging to someone," he answered stiffly and turned to open the door.

"Neither did I. The term 'dutiful wife' never appealed to me. I never wanted to be some man's plaything. Ironically enough, when I married him, I knew he would treat me as an equally. Now he refuses equality to all."

"Married him…" It was hardly a whisper, but his realization was sound enough. His black cloak waved as he whirled around wide eyed at her words.

"Never underestimate me, Severus. It is every man's downfall."

Preview: Young Love

"Even at our young age, we knew what kept us together often tore others apart. Therefore, we assumed that we were met for one another…destined to be with each other. For there was no one else in the world who could understand us."