A/N Thanks again Maria for making the time to beta this. I know it has been in short supply of late.

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Voldemort had had months in which to carefully plan out exactly what he would do with Minerva McGonagall when he got a hold of her.

His first leanings had been towards something a bit dramatic. Something that would serve as a warning for others. Perhaps slicing her from stem to stern and leaving her posted outside the Ministry Building with a permanent sticking charm? He wondered just how long would it take for the Ministry people to get her down? As for her baby … While the blood of a newborn was quite powerful, if the rumors going around were true, the infant's blood would be unsuitable for potion use. Instead, Voldemort was going to do with it what one did with unwanted kittens – put it in a sack and drown it. He could do it right there at the Ministry in the Fountain of Magical Brethren.

His next idea was to make it into something of an intellectual challenge between himself and Dumbledore. He could owl Dumbledore with a challenge to save McGonagall by outwitting him. Voldemort could include with the letter a clue that would lead to the location of another clue, which would lead him to another clue describing where to find yet another clue, ad nauseam, until a final clue would lead to the location where McGonagall was being held. Naturally, there would have to be a time limit and if Dumbledore wasn't able to make his way through all the clues in the allotted time … poor Professor McGonagall.

Of course, Voldemort was leaving no room for mistakes this time and fully intended to kill McGonagall the very instant that he found her, but that was not for Dumbledore to know.

Then he had thought, what if instead of just leaving clues, he heightened the suspense? What if he left a piece of her with each clue? Make it into a true scavenger hunt!

Voldemort knew it would be important to Dumbledore to get her back. Voldemort thought about demonstrating his magnanimous nature by saving Dumbledore the trouble of a drawn out and fruitless search by sending her back - a sort of good will gesture. Voldemort wondered; would a zombie McGonagall still be able to pass through the castle's defenses?

Finally, he had settled on the idea of combining the two. He would return her to Dumbledore, but one piece at a time.

What he had the hardest time deciding was which piece to send back first. Should he go for the prolonged drama of owling Dumbledore her fingers one a day for ten days? Or did he want to go for the symbolism and send her right hand intact? After all, he had originally targeted Minerva McGonagall because, as everyone knew, she was Dumbledore's 'right hand' woman.

Arriving, Voldemort discovered that all of his worrying had been unnecessary. As Dumbledore was already here, he could just watch.

Dumbledore had his arms wrapped around her. He appeared to be trying to shield her with his own body. It really was quite touching and noble – if you went in for that kind of thing. Voldemort didn't.

Not so stoic as the last time they had met, McGonagall was hiding in Dumbledore's beard, crying. As Voldemort raised his wand, she didn't even turn to face him.

A giddy Voldemort wondered; would a single Avada Kedavra kill two people if they were in close enough proximity? He was about to find out.

Two flashes of crimson light – one after the other – blinded him momentarily. As the second light faded and his eyes struggled to readjust, he saw that the two figures were no more. In their place was a single feather.

Foiled again, Voldemort said to no one in particular. "I have got to get one of those!"

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Safe in her rooms, still in his arms, Minerva kept crying. The last few moments had undoubtedly been a terrible shock. Stroking her hair, Albus tried to reassure her. "It's all right. You're safe now."

Not for the first time, Albus was grateful to have such a timely friend as the one currently routing about his robe pockets for the treat that had been in Albus's hand when he had run off before.

A number of thoughts competed for attention in his mind. Clearly, the Death Eaters arrival at the cottage so soon after their own was not a coincidence. Was it simply that the cottage was being monitored for signs of activity? Or was it something more intricate? Albus couldn't help questioning the timing of the afternoon's meeting. Was one, or more, of the Governors involved? And who exactly was the young man who had been given explicit orders not to let Albus pass with his wand – and exactly whose orders had it been?

He had to get Moody and whichever aurors or Order members could be readily found. They had to get back to the cottage and quickly if there was to be any hope of finding Voldemort and his followers still there.

He greatly wanted to stay with her, but time was of the essence. Stroking her hair one last time, he rose. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Startled out of her crying, Minerva looked up at him. "You're leaving?"

He assured her. "I'll be back soon. I promise."

Minerva repeated. "You're leaving?"

"I have to find Alastor and …" Albus trailed off. Something about the way that Minerva had repeated herself, her tone and her expression of complete and utter disbelief ... Albus knew something was off.

"Let me guess - you have a very important meeting!"

Before her words were even out, just Minerva's wounded expression at the very idea that he might have some other place he would prefer to be at the moment, confirmed it for him.

She hadn't noticed what was going on around them just before Fawkes had whisked them to safety. There hadn't been any voluble noises – no curses being lobbed back and forth, no riotous rejoicing by Voldemort. There was just the many distinctive, though slight, popping sounds of the people displacing the air around them as they apparated in. It had all occurred so quickly – all in just a few seconds … considering the noise Minerva herself had been generating, he supposed the sounds of the Death Eaters and Voldemort would have been easily drowned out.

"I have to…" Albus hesitated. He didn't want to alarm her. The danger was passed, but still it would be a shock. It wasn't as if he could tell her and then just leave. If he told her, he would need to remain and be certain that she was all right. Precious minutes had already gone by.

Albus offered her his most apologetic look. "I have to go. I will return as soon as I can and I promise I will explain everything then."

In less than five minutes, equipped with Alastor's spare wand and accompanied by several Maurauders, Longbottoms, and aurors, Albus was back at the cottage. By the flames that completely engulfed it, Albus knew he was already too late. Leaving the others to attempt to put out that particular fire, Albus headed back to Hogwarts to deal with another.

Reaching Minerva's rooms, Albus found the door once charmed to open at his approach charmed no more. He knocked, but to no avail. Attempting the knob, he found it bit.

Albus cursed himself for his foolishness. Had he really thought that Voldemort and his band of merry men would wait for him to return with better numbers? The trip had been a waste of everyone's time and more importantly, it had lost him his chance with Minerva.

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"What is it, my pet? Is it Peeves?" It couldn't be students. Those miserable miscreants were gone for the summer. Whatever it was, it had to be good - Filch had never seen Mrs. Norris this excited before.

Her excitement was becoming contagious as he followed her straight towards Gryffindor Tower.

Mrs. Norris had already gotten him close enough to be able to hear whoever it was. From the moans, he thought it was Myrtle. That would be a real disappointment; the Headmaster had steadfastly refused his requests to banish her.

Turning the corner, he instead found Professor McGonagall clutching onto a door frame in an attempt to stay standing. Moving forward, he awkwardly put an arm under her for support. "Hospital Wing?"

In too much pain to speak, she managed a slight nod.

"What were you thinking – trying to walk? I thought Poppy had your fireplace connected directly to the Hospital Wing?" She didn't seem to have been thinking at all because she was turned in the wrong direction for getting to the Hospital Wing.

Perspiration beaded her forehead. "I need…to…Albus!"

With her barely able to speak, Argus hadn't the heart to keep chastising her. When they finally made it to the Hospital Wing, Poppy had no such reservations.

"Whatever possessed you to try walking? Of all the…"

Argus kept his voice low as he tried to get Poppy's attention. "Is she going to be all right? It's early isn't it?"

The school nurse dismissed his worries. "Only a few weeks. In this kind of thing, a few weeks means nothing."

While Poppy got Minerva settled into one of the hospital beds, Filch moved to the side – unsure of what to do. The school nurse noticed him still standing there. "Argus, unless you would like to see a baby being born, I suggest you find somewhere else to be."

Horrified at the very idea, Filch moved to take her advice.

Before he could get out the door, McGonagall stopped him. "Argus, wait!"

Filch started to panic. She wanted him to stay? He couldn't! The things he would have to see – the horrors!

Despite her obvious discomfort, McGonagall struggled to talk. "Argus, I…I was supposed to have a list of potential first years ready for Dumbledore this morning. I don't…think it will be ready. Argus, could you please go tell him what is happening?"

Relieved that was all she wanted, backing out of the room, Filch tried to reassure her. "Sure. I'll let him know. You take care now."

Despite what else she had going on, she was worried about having some list ready for the Headmaster! Now that was dedication!

She looked almost desperate. "You'll go tell him now?"

Filch frowned. "It's the middle of the night. He's probably asleep. I'll tell him first thing in the morning."

McGonagall looked like she was going to start crying. "I need him…to know. Please go now."

Glad to say anything to get out of there, Filch readily agreed.

Of course, he only said that to reassure her. It was almost two in the morning. He had no intention of waking the Headmaster. No doubt in the morning when he heard the news, Dumbledore would be able to figure it out.

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Entering the Great Hall, Albus wasn't surprised to see Minerva's seat empty. On the pretense of an 'easily offset stomach' she had taken to having meals in her rooms. In actuality, it was his presence that she couldn't stomach.

As soon he took his seat, Pomona leaned over to him. "Has there been any word yet?"

"Word?"

"About Minerva and the baby! Filch said he helped her to the Hospital Wing late last night."

The students were gone for the summer, but many of the staff had remained out of a morbid curiosity.

Filius squeaked. "I bet it has happened by now! The kneazle I had as a child never took more than a few hours to deliver any of her litters."

Kettleburn shook his head. "True, kneazles usually don't take long, and if it were the kneazle doing the work, I would agree. But with a kneazle father that wouldn't make a difference."

Filius turned to him for a second opinion. "Albus, what do you think?"

What did he think? The whole thing was a debacle. The woman he loved was in the Hospital Wing and could at this very moment be giving birth to his child and he wouldn't even know about it. Minerva refused to speak to him, or even be in the same room as him – not that he could blame her after the way that he had behaved.

Filius took up the slack in the conversation. "This is so exciting! After breakfast, I'm going to head over to see!"

Lost in his own thoughts, but wanting to appear absorbed in something else, Albus picked up the newspaper. The Daily Prophet headline was brightly colored and in bold face print. As if that weren't enough, it periodically gave off a blinding light like the flash of a camera.

1000 Galleon Reward For The First Picture Of The Hideous Half Man-Half Kneazle Beast

Utterly disgusted, Albus threw the paper back down on the table. Not having any appetite to begin with, he had none to lose. He knew he wasn't welcome in the Hospital Wing, but he had to know. Leaving the table and the Great Hall, he decided to walk by the Hospital Wing in the hopes of being able to glean some news.

As he walked, thinking back to the paper he had left behind, he shook his head in disgust. He was once again grateful that Minerva was still at Hogwarts. At least for now, he could prevent anyone from getting to her or the baby. The whole affair had brought out the worst in some people, but no doubt the paper's offer would bring out the lowest of the low. It would stir the most despicable people, the very dregs of humanity, to action.

Nearly to the Hospital Wing he was surprised to run into his brother Aberforth.

"Aberforth, what are you doing here?"

Aberforth was startled. "Oh, I…I came to see you."

"How…" Untimely? Unwanted? Unwelcome? "… unexpected. Why don't we go to my office?"

"Your office?" Aberforth looked almost longingly in the direction of the Hospital Wing. "Your office, sure."

Once they arrived and were settled with tea, Albus questioned his brother. "And to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

Albus averted his eyes as Aberforth adjusted his robes in a most indecorous manner. "I just wanted to stop in, see how you were doing."

Generally a visit from Aberforth meant he was either looking for Albus to get him out of a spot of trouble or he needed to borrow money. Today, Albus could really do without the preamble. "That's the only reason?"

Aberforth stood and raised his voice loud enough that an elf appeared. "Can't one brother visit another without a reason?! Why do you always look for an ulterior motive? Why must you always think the worst of me?! If that's what you think of me, I'll just leave!"

Albus waved away the elf. He was taken back by his brother's vehemence. "Aberforth, I'm sorry. I meant no offense. Please sit."

Reluctantly, Aberforth returned to his seat. "I'm concerned about you – that's all. With everything that's been going on, I wanted to see how you were holding up."

Albus tried to force a smile. "As you can see, I am doing just fine."

Aberforth shook his head. "I don't believe you. I know this situation must be hard on you."

Albus gave what he hoped came across as an ambivalent shrug. "It's a bit awkward and embarrassing for the school, but nothing that we can't weather. Professor McGonagall has already tendered her resignation." Albus struggled to keep his voice even. "I believe she plans to leave as soon as she and the baby are well enough to travel. That should help to minimize the embarrassment for the school."

"That's not what I meant and you know it, Albus. I know that this has got to be tearing you up inside. I've watched you two tiptoeing around for years. I know you were - are in love with her."

Uncertain of how much Aberforth knew, Albus hid behind his tea.

"I know you haven't acted on your feelings in the past for fear of Voldemort and his ilk, but maybe you should consider it now. This kneazle thing…" Aberforth shrugged "…it's downright impossible, but it's done and it can't be helped."

Albus shook his head. "It's too late now."

Aberforth was growing impatient with him. "You have to at least try!"

Albus let out a sigh. "It's no good now."

Aberforth snapped. "So a kneazle got there before you! That's rough, but it doesn't mean you can't go there too."

"I didn't mean it that way. I meant…" Albus tried and failed to clarify. "Oh, I don't know what I mean anymore."

"Albus, it's not too late. Not yet it isn't. She needs you. Go to her. Tell her how you feel. Tell her you love her and you want to marry her. Tell her now before it really is too late."

The more Albus thought about it, the more he knew that Aberforth was right. He had to go to Minerva now. He had to make her understand how much he loved her and how much he wanted this child. How he longed for them to be together as a family. After everything that he had done and not done there was a very good chance that Minerva no longer felt the same way, but Aberforth was right – he had to at least try. Maybe it wasn't too late.

Albus stood. "You're right. I have to at least try!"

Aberforth rose and clapped him on the back. "That's my boy. I'll go with you…for…moral support."

Albus clapped his brother on the back in return. There was a loud clatter.

Looking down, Albus wondered when he had become so gullible, so easy to fool. Aberforth had told him all the things that he had wanted to hear. But that didn't make any of them true.

"Eh. Now where did that come from?"

All the way to the front doors, Aberforth feigned ignorance of the camera that had fallen from the folds of his robes.

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Reaching the Hospital Wing some time after ejecting his brother, Albus found he wasn't the only one skulking about hoping to discover information. Better than half his staff could be found there, including Kettleburn and Flitwick.

"Pay up, Filius. Poppy already told us it would only be one."

The diminutive Charms Professor had his ear pressed to the door. "None of my pet kneazles ever had less than four in a litter! Sometimes as many as eleven, but never less than four! They are incredibly prolific creatures."

"And I already told you, it's the female kneazle who determines how many kittens will be in a litter, based on the number of eggs she releases for the male kneazle to fertilize. Human females generally release only one egg."

Having heard enough, Albus interrupted. "Has there been any word?"

"Poppy came out to yell at us for being too loud."

Filius' answer wasn't really what he had been looking for. Thankfully, Kettleburn's response was more in line with what he wanted to know.

"When she was out here, she said it shouldn't be much longer. That was almost two hours ago."

Albus nodded. He saw Filius had a few brightly wrapped parcels in his hands. The thought of bringing a present had never even crossed Albus' mind.

Noticing his gaze, Filius happily obliged. "I couldn't decide between them so I bought both. A stuffed toy kneazle, because I think it is important that the children know about their heritage, and a package of ice mice."

Here was Filius with two…if not well thought out, at least well intentioned presents, and he, the child's father, had brought nothing.

Pomona, also included amongst the throng waiting, pointed out a few of the things that Albus was already thinking. "Do you really think that Minerva will want a reminder around of the baby's father? And ice mice will go stale long before the baby will be old enough to eat them."

Filius would not concede the point. "A human baby, yes, but you are forgetting that the babies are half kneazle. Kneazles develop much more quickly. They start walking when they are only two to three weeks old. At four weeks old they start eating solids. By six weeks they are almost entirely self sufficient. Why, by eight weeks, Minerva will have a devil of a time keeping track of them all!"

The others murmured their agreement. Minerva would be quite pleased; it seemed people had been wholly taken in by her deception.

Filius pressed on. "If she really does intend to keep them all, maybe she could try putting them on leashes – not that the little devils will have any kind of trouble chewing throu-"

Filius broke off his speaking, and Albus's heart simply broke as an angry wail could be heard from the room behind the door.

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Poppy was reassured by the very loud, very healthy cries made by the newborn. It meant that there wasn't likely to be anything seriously wrong with him. Not taking the time to satisfy her intellectual curiosity, she quickly wrapped him in a blanket and set him aside to finish caring for Minerva's needs.

Once that was taken care of, Poppy returned her attentions to the wailing bundle. A few cleansing charms had him cleaned, but she found it necessary to take a breath to brace herself before opening the blanket for a look at what was inside.

She was pleased to be able to count ten fingers, ten toes, and one of something else in the front, but her real relief came when she turned him over and didn't find anything. "He's perfect. Not even a hint of tail!"

"Let me see him!"

Finally getting to hold her baby, Minerva looked like she might start crying. "He has his father's eyes."

Poppy knew this was an awful situation and it needed to be handled delicately. "They might change. Lots of babies are born with blue eyes, but that doesn't mean he will keep them."

Minerva looked so forlorn. "I thought that he would be here with me. I really did."

Poppy frowned, confused. "Who dear?"

Minerva didn't seem to have heard her. "I thought that he would come round to the idea, that this was what he wanted too. I never imagined that he would really just walk away from us."

Realizing that Minerva was talking about the baby's kneazle father, Poppy didn't know what to say. Finally, she settled on the axiom, "All men are beasts."

Minerva ran her finger along the baby's cheek. "It doesn't matter. I wanted a baby and now I have one."

Holding the baby up to kiss him, at least to Poppy's mind, Minerva didn't look like she really thought it didn't matter.

What Minerva's words seemed to suggest had already been said in the Staff Room – more than a few times, but always in jest. Poppy couldn't decide if the idea that the encounter might have been consensual was less or more horrible. Incredibly disturbed, Poppy patted Minerva's hand with a forced smile. "Is there anything I can get you?"

Minerva traced the baby's features with her finger. "Send an owl to Alastor Moody asking him to call at the castle. I'd like to take him up on an offer he once made."

Not wanting to upset Minerva by telling her that was no longer an option – at least, it better not be if Alastor knew what was good for him – Poppy tried to put the matter off. "Tomorrow dear. We'll worry on that tomorrow."

Never taking her eyes off the baby in her arms, Minerva sadly insisted. "There's no point in waiting any longer."

Poppy offered a compromise. "I'll send an owl asking him to stop by tomorrow. Now try to get some rest. You've both had a very trying night."

Putting a screen part way around the bed to give the two some privacy, Poppy went to disperse the crowd that was no doubt still waiting outside the Hospital wing.

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Though he knew in reality it was only some twenty odd minutes, the time from when he first heard the baby's squall to the time Poppy came out of the infirmary – empty handed – felt like an eternity.

"It's a boy!" Poppy was beaming as in an extremely loud whisper she added, "No tail at all!"

Filius and the others gave up an excited roar, but Albus wasn't quite ready to celebrate. "And Minerva? Is she all right?"

Poppy nodded. "Utterly exhausted, but doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances."

Poppy was deliberately blocking the doorway with her frame. Even with his superior height, Albus was unable to get a glimpse of the two individuals he so desperately desired to see. Through the partially open door all he could catch sight of was a window, also partially open.

"I need to see her."

He might have stood a chance if not for all the others. When they too took up the request, Poppy sent everyone on their way.

"Certainly not! Everyone can come back tomorrow."

There were a few token protests, but now that the possibility of a tail had been dismissed, interest waned quickly. When all the others had gone, leaving just him, Poppy spoke to him directly. He rather got the idea that she enjoyed having some authority over him.

"Everyone includes you, Headmaster."

With that, she closed the door in his face.