An: Thank you for the reviews and sorry it's taken me so long to post!.

"Tom?" Albus repeated, pushing Minerva back gently so he could look at her face.

"Albus, Tom is behind these attacks in Europe. He's been leaving the castle, practically every evening. He has gathered 'followers'. He wants to take over the Ministry, he's gaining power Albus". She began to pace. "We must alert the Ministry. I know it sounds rather odd but I do believe it's him.". She spoke honestly.

Albus had never question Minerva, and he never would. He paced himself, his mind going through the last month. He hadn't noticed Tom sneaking out but then, there were ways that he wouldn't know about. She was right, of course. He had to alert the Ministry. Now that Minerva had walked toward the fire he could see her a little more clearly. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days, she looked weak. "Minerva?". He spoke softly.

She didn't want to turn to him, she didn't want him to see her so vulnerable.

"Minerva?" He spoke again, this time he walked to her. It was only now, in the light that he could see her slightly bruised face. "What happened?".

She could see him looking at her bruise and her hand instantly touched it.

Seeing the bruises around her wrist he immediately took her hand in his. "Minerva?" His eyes pleading with hers.

"It was the night you left" she spoke quietly, almost a whisper. Her eyes had locked onto a place near the fire. "He was waiting for me when I got back to my chambers. He had used some Polyjuice potion to gain access." She paused. "He wouldn't stop" She began to sob, something Albus wasn't used to, something she wasn't used to doing in front of others'.

Albus said nothing but pulled her to him. He held her tighter than he had ever before. Closing his eyes to the sickness that he crawled up his body and the tightness of his heart. He wasn't there, he didn't protect her. She was his love, his life and he wasn't there. He would never forgive himself. After a moment he pulled away, walked to the nearest portrait and told the occupant to wake the professors immediately, an urgency in his voice. 'Tell them, a student has attacked a professor and to start searching the castle. Tell them it's Tom Riddle". He turned back to Minerva. "I'm sorry" he simply said before turning and swiftly walking out of her chambers, his robes flowing behind him. He was an angry man, he wouldn't have let her see it.

Coming across some of the professors he paused. "I want him found!" he practically shouted. "I don't care how long it takes." He practically ran to his chambers, walking to a portrait of an old Headmaster he instructed him to go straight to the Minister, he explained that Tom was behind the attacks and he needed to be told immediately.

Albus stood in the middle of his office, his mind in turmoil. He shouldn't have just left Minerva like that. At that thought she ran into his office. Dressed in her black robes, pulled tightly to her neck. "Albus, there's something you have to see".

Following Minerva's rather quick pace, she escorted him out into the courtyard where the other professor's had gathered. His wand in his hand he stopped to see them all looking to the sky. There carved by the night's clouds was a white skull, it's mouth wide open, lighting flickering around them. They all stood in silence. Their eyes lighting up with the swirls of grey clouds. "Albus" They all turned to find the Minister standing behind them, he, himself looking up at the mark.

"So please tell me from the beginning what happened, what Tom had said" Fudge paced Albus' office whilst Minerva sat in the chair in front of the desk, Albus stood staring into the fire.

Minerva took a breathe a spoke. "It was just after the ball and Albus was called to the Ministry. I went back into the hall and said my goodnight's. I wasn't feeling up to staying, so I headed back to my chambers. I went straight to my bedroom, where he, Tom was waiting for me. He was speaking of my" She paused and looked to Albus, who hadn't turned but knew would be listening "My relationship with Albus, he was telling me I could have anyone and when I refused his advances, he hit me, I fell onto the bed and" she paused and looked to her lap, whispering the last part. "Raped me". There was an uncomfortable silence.

Albus didn't want to hear, he didn't want the images of Minerva being hit, being violated, being hurt and pleading for him to stop. He could feel the anger inside of him building, his fists clenched by his sides. He could have cried he felt so frustrated.

"Then, the next day he came to my office after dinner, he told me how he had been leaving the castle late at night, he didn't tell me how, I suppose I didn't ask. He wants to rid the Wizarding world of Muggle-borns, well actually anything less than pure-blood." She wracked her brain for more information, the events finally catching up to her. "He said to tell Albus that he wouldn't win. He wants to gain followers and take over the Ministry. From what I understand, he's already got quite a following"

Fudge looked to her nervously, he was in deep water and he didn't know how to swim. He looked to Albus. "This is far more serious than what I thought" He nodded. "I have to get back to the Ministry. I'll be in touch" He walked to the fireplace and took some floo powered and vanished.

The room was silent for a moment more. Minerva had turned to look at Albus, he stood looking right at her. He had a look of sorrow in his eyes, one she didn't want to see. "Don't, please." She turned her head. "I don't want people to feel sorry for me Albus, I don't want what was said tonight to leave this room." She obviously knew she would have to make a report and probably speak with a wizard councillor but no one else.

Albus walked to her, knelt down and took her hand in his. "I wasn't there to protect you Minerva" He spoke softly.

"Albus, I have never in my life needed anyone to protect me, it was me who couldn't protect myself and that's something I will live with for the rest of my life.". She was never one for playing the damsel in distress. She was a proud women and one who could rely on herself, she had never wanted the protection of a man, she supposed it made her look weak. She felt weak.

"I don't care what you say Minerva, I will never let anything like this happen to you. I would rather die" He looked her in the eye and for a slight moment she saw tears forming.

Placing a hand on his cheek she nodded, that's all she could do. She pulled him to her and he held her tightly.

AN: I feel this chapter is rather crappy. I'm sorry!. I haven't actually got a clue what to put in the next chapter or how to end this story, if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Thanks for reading you lovely people!.