A/N: Here we go again! Welcome back, my loves. As always, thank you for sticking around and I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

~Neve

The last few days have reminded me how much I loathe being the center of attention.

Before, it centered completely on the fact that I was green, and as much as I hated it I couldn't really blame anyone for it, either. The more I tried to make people stop the more they stared and teased, so I quickly learned to just shut up and leave it alone. It never got easier, but I forced myself to ignore it for the most part.

Now, since word of what happened on the Astronomy Tower spread through the school, I'm finding it much more difficult to ignore. I guess I've become so accustomed to not being stared at; it made me somehow forget the last twenty-something years of my life. I feel eyes on me everywhere I go and hear whispers that stop suspiciously when I get too close.

It reminds me so eerily of Oz I have to fight my paranoia on a daily basis. Albus, Rolanda and Poppy seem to recognize how tense I am, but they don't press me by asking questions.

The one saving grace to this type of attention is that it's actually stemming from a "good dead", as Rolanda puts it. I guess I should be grateful for this, though I still refuse to accept the idea that I did something extraordinary that no one else would have done if they could have. I learned quickly not to keep trying to press that point, so I keep my mouth shut about it in front of my friends.

I shift in my seat for what must be the tenth time in the last fifteen minutes. I stare at the book open on my lap, but I've read the same three lines at least five times because I can't concentrate on anything except the feeling of nearly every pair of eyes in the room on me. Despite my discomfort, I refuse to hide in my room until it blows over, so I've made a conscious effort not to change any of my usual habits. True to form, I came into the staff room to grade a few papers earlier today, and with that finished I resorted to reading a book.

Well, maybe attempting to read a book.

I glance around the room every few minutes, but seeing me looking at them does almost nothing to stop the other professors from looking at me in amazement.

Suddenly the silence is broken by a frustrated groan, and a surprisingly irate Rolanda Hooch slams her newspaper down on the table in front of her, sits up from her chair and glares openly at the half-dozen other professors.

"Would you all just shove off and quit bloody staring at her?! For Merlin's sake, you're all adults and this is not a circus! Act like it!"

My eyes widen at my friend's sudden outburst. I can't decide if she did it because it was annoying her or if she could simply tell how uncomfortable I am. Honestly, it's probably both, but I'm grateful nonetheless and it makes me smile. It's enough to snap them out of it and everyone focuses on other things as they mumble apologies.

If only I could get the students to stop staring at me so easily. I think to myself.

Rolanda turns her head to look at me. The irritation on her face disappears in an instant as she smiles and winks at me.

We're your friends, Min. Of course we're going to defend you, especially when it's obvious you have no desire to do it for yourself.

I'm immediately reminded of what she'd said to me that day in the infirmary, and I feel a sudden rush of affection for her. I smile back at her and mouth a thank you, to which Ro nods before returning to her paper.

I look back down at my book, intending to re-focus on it when there's a sudden stab of pain at the back of my head, making me wince. In the days since the incident I've developed headaches that are becoming hard to ignore. At first it wasn't that bad, but the pain has been getting worse.

I figured it has something to do with landing so hard on the ground after I'd caught Silvanus, so for the first couple of days I didn't think much of it, believing that it would sort itself out after a bit of recovery time. My soreness has almost completely disappeared now though, and these pains haven't. I may have to ask Poppy about it if this persists, but I genuinely hope to avoid that.

It takes two weeks after the Astronomy Tower incident for things to go almost completely back to normal. Still, I'm beyond relieved to have significantly less people stare at me as I walk by.

Now, news of an entirely different kind reached the children only last week, and it nearly makes me wish for the attention from the Tower incident. Headmaster Dippet announced the Ministry's plans for a dance at our last staff meeting. The entire room had been surprised, and Armando himself didn't look pleased.

As the meeting progressed, it became clear to me that Hogwarts doesn't have dances; the only one they've ever had was the Yule Ball during the Triwizard Tournament, and that hasn't been held since 1792. Apparently Minister Spencer-Moon thinks it will be a good distraction for the students.

Obviously the Ministry was correct in this assumption. The excitement in the castle was palpable the moment it was announced that night, and it hasn't lessened. If anything, it gets more intense the closer we get to the date. I've seen so many girls huddled in groups talking about it and an equal number of nervous boys talking to their friends trying to get the courage to ask one of them to the dance. It makes me laugh at the innocence of all of it.

"Oh, c'mon Blair! You can't honestly be trying to pretend it didn't happen."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"We saw Tom Riddle talking to you outside of Professor McGonagall's class!"

The mention of my name is what causes me to look up from the book I'm flipping through. I'd come to the library to do some research for a lesson next week, but now my focus is on something entirely different.

Through the gap in the books on the shelf in front of me I see four Gryffindor 6th years sitting at one of the tables. I notice one is a school prefect, Blair Maclaine.

I see the girl roll her eyes at her friends, "Ugh, fine." She groans before putting her quill down.

"If you must know, he was asking me to the dance."

The other three girls at the table all look varying degrees of excited or surprised before one decides to respond.

"What did you say?"

"No, of course. I'm not interested in Riddle like that."

"He's kind of cute, though." One of her friends admits quietly, and I see at least one other friend nod in agreement.

Blair shrugs, "I don't think so. Besides, he's much too arrogant, and his ego is huge. He acted like he was doing me a favor by asking me."

"True, he is rather full of himself."

I know it's wrong, but it's very hard not to laugh at their conversation about Riddle. As it is I have to cover my mouth to stop it.

"How did he take it?"

"Not well at all. For a second I thought I heard him start to call me a mudblood, but I think he thought better of it in case Professor McGonagall heard him. Then he just glared at me and stormed off."

Ah, I think, so that must be why he was in such a foul mood that day.

Riddle barely participated in class then, and I noticed how angry he seemed to be. Actually, I was surprised because he also seemed rather embarrassed, which is an unusual emotion to see on the boy. Now it makes sense.

Honestly, I suppose I should be more surprised than I am to hear Miss Maclaine's suspicions that Riddle nearly called her such an awful name, but it's not that big of a leap if I think about it. He doesn't strike me as an overly tolerant boy.

Still, Mr. Riddle is very lucky that he thought better of finishing his thought, because if I had heard it, he would have been in detention every Saturday for the rest of the year. This was nearly a week ago and Riddle has been glaring at the back of Miss Maclaine's head during class ever since.

Thankfully she doesn't pay any mind to it so I haven't needed to get involved. I did ask her once if she needed me to take care of it, but she insisted that I didn't need to bother with something so trivial, so I let it go. I did make her promise to come to me if she changed her mind, which she did, so hopefully she heeds my words.

The day of the dance has arrived, and I find myself at the doors of the Great Hall watching Professor Flitwick and a few other professors setting up for the night. They've foregone the usual four tables for the houses and replaced them with dozens of smaller round tables throughout the room. They even found a place for dancing and the music that's been arranged, although I have no idea what that is.

Flitwick has outdone himself with the decorations throughout the hall, and I can't help but smile at how dedicated everyone is to making this work. No one was rather keen on the idea when it was announced, but since there was nothing to be done about it, I suppose they figured they might as well make it memorable for the students. The ministry is trying to distract everyone, after all.

They've actually nearly finished, and I have to admit the room does look wonderful, but there is still a large part of me that is absolutely dreading this dance. The moment I heard about it, my brain took me back to the dance Fiyero arranged for the students at Shiz University. He'd come up with the idea almost as soon as he'd arrived.

The trouble with schools is, they always try to teach the wrong lesson…

I shake my head as I remember his words that day; he was completely hopeless back then. I listened to what he was saying, but I immediately thought he was just a rich, arrogant, idiotic boy. His act was nearly flawless, and Glinda fell for him instantly. They both seemed to share the same obliviousness.

Its just life, so keep dancing through…

I couldn't stand Fiyero at first, of course. No matter what I tried to tell myself at the time, I know now that I envied his ability to just not care. Oh, how lovely it would have been for me to be able to adopt his "its just life" attitude. Unfortunately, I cared far too much for my own good. I realized later that his attitude was just an act; he was much smarter than I gave him credit for, and he cared about life, about other people to a degree that shocked me when I first discovered it. But Merlin, I loved him for it.

I feel the severe burn of tears in my eyes at the same moment I hear footsteps approaching behind me.

"Minerva?"

I clear my throat and almost will the burning to go away as I turn my head to find Albus standing beside me.

"Hello, Albus. Come to watch the preparations as well?"

"Yes, I do enjoy watching things like this. Does that make me childish?"

I chuckle, "Would you care if it did?"

"Not particularly."

We both smile before falling silent and watching for a few moments.

"Did you have dances in school, Minerva? I know Hogwarts normally doesn't, but I understand some schools do."

"We had one, yes."

"Did you enjoy it?"

I glance at him, remembering the embarrassment I felt in that ballroom.

"No, I can't say that I did." My voice is lower than before, which makes Albus turn to look at me. I don't think he was expecting that tone.

"Minerva, have I said something to upset you?"

I turn and smile at him again, "Oh not at all, Albus, don't concern yourself. If you'll excuse me, I've got a few things to do before the dance starts."

I turn and walk away from the Hall, but I still see the somewhat concerned glance from Albus as I do despite my smile.

I don't mean to concern Albus, but the longer I stand there watching the preparations for the dance the more my anxiety spikes and I can't help but think about the day of the dance in Oz. It was the day Glinda gave me my old black hat. I should have known better, honestly, because I discovered later that night that it was only a trick; Glinda had only wanted to get rid of something she thought was ugly, and I fell for it.

So here, out of the goodness of my heart...

I shake her words out of my head, the same ones she said as she pushed the hat at me, and I was so naive then I genuinely wanted to believe them. I thought, briefly, that things would change. I discovered just how wrong I was the moment I stepped into the Ozdust Ballroom and watched everyone stare and laugh at me in the hat.

I knew how to dance; I could do it well, actually, but in that moment I forgot everything else. I started doing random, ridiculous movements that only made them laugh harder, but I was stupidly determined. Glinda saved me though, by joining me in my embarrassment. I thought it was just because I'd insisted on having her included in sorcery lessons, but now I think she genuinely felt badly for her part in it.

We'd been friends since that night. At first, I believed it was a way for Glinda to relieve her guilt about the way she acted, but after a few weeks and she still sought me out—often rather than her other friends—I realized she'd actually come to like me. Despite how different we were, I had to admit I liked her too. She was funny; she could make me laugh or smile when I didn't want to. She was smart too, in her own way, and she felt things deeply. Glinda turned out to be more complex than anyone thought—myself included. She was just like Fiyero in that way.

But, there was also the side of her that was complacent. She never openly defended me against her friends or the other students but back then I didn't mind. No one ever had, so I didn't see the point in being upset with her. I knew, one way or another, I was her best friend, and she was mine.

It never once occurred to me she would be so okay with the state of things in Oz, the things the Wizard was doing. As long as she got recognition out of it and didn't need to be involved, it didn't matter, because she wasn't the one being hurt by his actions. I suppose in retrospect I should have seen that side of her sooner.

I step into my rooms and busy myself by making tea. I have papers to finish grading before tonight, but one cup won't hurt. It might help calm my nerves.

I take my cup over to the couch and sit by the fire. I sigh as the pleasant warmth hits me and I spend a few minutes watching the flames dance. I've always found it soothing.

Even now, after all this time away from Oz, I have very little hard feelings when it comes to Glinda. Sure, there are still some things I get upset about if I think too much, but I don't really see the point in that. In her heart Glinda was, is, a good person. She had no reason to care about what was going on around her. She was brought up having every luxury Oz could offer someone with her background and beauty. In the end we just saw things differently. She cared too little, and I cared too much. Even though things didn't end well with us, I'm still grateful she made me understand what having a friend was like, no matter how brief.

And to think, it all started with that awful dance. I chuckle as I take another sip of my tea. Maybe those are the emotions I should try to remember; all the good things that came out of it.

The anxiety and tears I fought earlier are all but forgotten at the thought, and I smile to myself.

Maybe this dance won't be so bad, after all.

Hours later the dance is in full swing, and all of the children seem to be having a marvelous time. There's been more smiling and laughing in the last few hours than I've seen in months, and not just from the students. Many of the professors are taking advantage of the opportunity for this bit of fun, too. I saw Poppy briefly when I came in, and Rolanda ran off somewhere long ago looking even more excited and energized than usual. Albus has been staying close by, but he disappeared a few minutes ago after saying something about the food the house-elves prepared for the night. No doubt that knowing Albus, he got lost in the sweets.

I turn when I feel someone's gaze on me and I meet Silvanus Kettleburn's brown eyes from across the room.

How long has he been looking at me? Sweet Merlin, is he really walking this way?

I look away from him, briefly looking around for anyone to help get me out of whatever unpleasant conversation is about to happen, but find no one. Silvanus has largely steered clear of me in the weeks following my rescue of him, so the fact that he's suddenly popping up again with so many people around to watch makes me uneasy. However, another quick glance tells me he's determined to see through whatever he has up his sleeve.

He stops directly in front of me a moment later, forcing me to look up into his eyes again. Does he look… nervous?

"Good evening, Professor."

His tone is even, but not unkind or accusatory like it has been in the past, so I nod kindly to him.

"Good evening. Enjoying yourself?"

Rather than answer my question or continue the conversation, Silvanus suddenly extends a hand out toward me.

I stare at the hand before looking back up at him. I know he sees the confusion on my face, because surely he can't be implying what I think he is.

I expect him to finish whatever joke he's trying to make, but the expression on his face holds no jest whatsoever. His face is deadly serious, almost earnest.

"Care to dance, Professor McGonagall?"

Oh, sweet Oz. There's no sarcasm in his tone either, and it's so respectful! What the hell is he doing? My eyes widen as I look at him, and I'm sure I can't keep the surprise off of my face. He's not deterred though; Silvanus continues to just stand in front of me, waiting for a response.

I can feel a few of the people around us start to take notice of what's happening as I try to find my voice.

"I—"

"Please."

The word itself is so strange coming out of his mouth, especially directed at me, that whatever I was about to say immediately leaves my thoughts and renders me speechless once again. He says it in a way that implies he thought I was going to say no, and I honestly have no idea what I was going to say. But something about the look on his face finally causes me to nod.

Slowly I take his outstretched hand, almost waiting for him to snatch it away. He doesn't, and the next moment he's leading me out onto the dance floor.

I didn't notice earlier, but whatever new, faster pace music was playing before has been replaced for the moment with something slower, and before I know it Silvanus and I are waltzing around the room. The number of eyes I feel on us only increases with every second that passes, but Silvanus doesn't seem to notice. If he does, he doesn't show it. Instead he's only looking at me.

He said nothing as he took my hand and put his arm around my waist, and he's staying silent now. I'm still so stunned I make no attempt to speak to him, instead choosing to focus on the music.

"Professor?"

I jump at his voice, and it suddenly occurs to me that he might have said something to me that I didn't catch.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I said you're a lovely dancer, Professor McGonagall."

The sudden compliment is as unexpected as the smile he gives me, and the blush that tries to work its way to my cheeks is largely unwelcomed and ridiculous, so I shake my head as I try to fight it off.

"Kettleburn—Silvanus. What is this about?"

I didn't mean for it to come out as blunt as it did, but thankfully Silvanus doesn't look offended. He actually looks relieved that I finally brought it up.

"I… I need to apologize to you."

Holy shit. Of all the things I thought he would say that certainly wasn't one of them.

"What?" The word comes out louder than intended, and I know at least half the people in the room heard me, but I pay no attention as I stare at him in disbelief.

"I haven't been fair to you, Professor. I needed you to know that I'm… I'm genuinely sorry for the way I've treated you since you arrived. There was no excuse for it, of course, but I thought…"

I hold my breath, but only a moment later he shakes his head and looks at me again.

"It doesn't matter what I thought. I was wrong about you, Minerva McGonagall. I can't ask, nor can I expect you to forgive me for the things I've said and done these last months, but I needed you to understand that I'm sorry."

I stare at him, just blinking for a solid thirty seconds as he continues to lead me around the hall and waits for me to process what he said.

I clear my throat and look over his shoulder. Nearly every adult in the room and a surprising number of students are watching us. I see Albus over by the sweets table—as expected—looking very confused and concerned as he watches us dance. Poppy looks stunned too, and Rolanda is standing next to her. Her mouth is hanging open and she's not even trying to hide her shock in true Rolanda fashion.

"You know," I say as I look back at his face. "I'm not sure it was entirely necessary for you to do it in front of everyone like this."

"No, it was. I acted like a git in public enough times, it's only fair everyone witnesses you finally receiving your apology."

I open my mouth to respond, but I can hear the song winding down and Silvanus slows us down to match it.

My instinct is to insist I don't need an apology, but I can almost hear my friends' yelling at me if I do, so instead I pull away slightly to look into his eyes again.

"Thank you, Silvanus." I say it genuinely, and he seems to believe me, as well.

"I should be thanking you, Minerva; for saving me a few weeks ago. I'm sorry I didn't thank you properly before. I would have died if it hadn't been for you. Sincerely, thank you for saving my life."

I shake my head as the music slowly fades away and we come to a stop. "No need, but I do appreciate it."

Silvanus nods, and he drops his arm from my waist as he moves away. He surprises me when he doesn't let go of my hand; instead, he bows as he brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it.

For the second time tonight I have to resist a blush as I give him a small curtsy in response. I hear the other professors and a few students murmuring around us, and I swear I just heard a squeal that sounded suspiciously like Rolanda's.

"Thank you, Minerva. For everything."

I nod to him and as he starts to turn away from me, I have a sudden thought.

"You should know," I say it loud enough for everyone already listening to hear, and I wait for him to turn back around so I can look him in the eyes.

"I do forgive you, Silvanus."

Silvanus looks positively shocked, but the smile he gives me is pure and so relieved that I'm instantly glad I decided to say it. For the first time since the day I met him, I smile back just as genuinely.

The moment I turn around to completely leave the floor, I become acutely aware of the looks from the other people in the room. They all look rather shocked and a part of me wonders how much they were actually able to hear.

I ignore it though, and keep walking to the edge of the crowd, intending to more or less disappear and feeling oddly proud of myself.

The idea is abandoned when I suddenly feel someone grab onto my sleeve and pull me to the side. It's unexpected enough for me to stumble in that direction.

"Merlin, don't rip her arm off, Rolanda! You'll make her fall!"

I hear Poppy's voice before I look up and see my two friends. Rolanda obviously paid no attention to Poppy's admonishment as she stared at me in disbelief.

"What?"

"What? What do you mean, what? You danced with Kettleburn! Tell us everything!"

Before I get the chance to open my mouth, Poppy does after rolling her eyes at Rolanda.

"I came to make sure you were alright Minerva, but I must admit I'm curious as well."

"I'm fine, honestly. It was harmless. It…. was actually rather nice."

"What did he want?"

"He thanked me for saving him. He also apologized for his behavior since I arrived."

"In front of all these people?" Even Poppy is having trouble hiding her surprise now.

"Yes. He said he felt everyone should witness me receiving what he felt I was entitled to."

"It's about bloody time!"

"Ro!"

"I'm sorry, I can't help it! When he pulled you onto the floor I thought I'd need to tackle him. When you started dancing I swear if it weren't for the music you could've heard a pin drop in here."

"What?" I know it was a shock to many people who watched, but certainly it couldn't have been that interesting.

"No, she's right, Minerva." Poppy agrees. "Everyone noticed."

"When he bowed and kissed you, I couldn't believe it!" Rolanda's excitement is back in her voice again, making me roll my eyes at her.

"Yes, I'm well aware. I heard you, I'm quite sure everyone did, Ro."

"Did you mean it?" Poppy asks, looking very serious all of the sudden.

I turn my attention to her, confused by the question.

"What?"

"Did you mean it?" She asks again, "When you said you forgive him."

I stare at her for a moment before I decide to answer, realizing that she meant it as a genuine question.

"Of course I did, Poppy. I don't say things like that casually. He didn't ask for it, and he said he didn't expect it. In fact, it was obvious he didn't think I could forgive him, but he was wrong. He certainly isn't the first person to act that way about me, and I'm sure he won't be the last."

"But—"

"He apologized, Poppy." I say simply. "That's more than I could've ever asked from anyone, and I'm not going to hold this against him. So yes, I meant it."

They both stare at me, but before either of them can respond another voice does.

"You are a wonder, my dear."

I turn to see Albus stepping up behind me with a gentle smile on his face.

"Oh… Well, thank you."

"I must admit I was concerned as well when I saw you two, but I'm very happy to see it ended so well, and that you received what you were indeed entitled to."

He says it in a way that immediately cuts off any protest I might have made, so I just smile at him.

"I had no idea you could dance so well, Min." Rolanda speaks up. "Did your father teach you?"

I almost scoff at the question, and just barely stop the humorless laugh that started when I heard it. Frex, teaching me to dance? Please, he refused to even look at me most of the time.

I can't explain this to them, though, so instead I keep my answer simple.

"No. He was… he was away a lot. I taught myself."

That was one of the many things I did to occupy my time alone in the house. At least, in-between my time spent taking care of Nessarose.

"It was truly lovely to watch, Minerva."

Albus's compliment pulls me away from those thoughts, and for some reason this time I find it much harder to fight that sudden rush of heat coming to my face. If he notices, Albus doesn't point it out; he just smiles.

Hours later, a rapid knock jolts me awake. Confused, I sit up only to hear it again, more insistent this time. I ignore the instant migraine I felt upon opening my eyes, although it's not that easy when every knock on the door causes a new intense stab of pain in my head.

With effort I get up and pull on my robe, not even bothering to spend the time putting my hair up. Whoever it is, they're obviously in a hurry.

The knocking sounds desperate now, and I quickly run to open the door.

"Albus?!"

He looks terrible, and any residual thoughts I had on these lingering headaches vanishes. There's no trace of the happiness I saw on his face just a few hours ago; He looks horribly disheveled and his eyes have turned surprisingly dull. I can see the dark circles under his eyes despite the lack of light in the corridor, and he looks so tired it's a wonder to me he's still standing on his feet.

"I came to tell you, there's an emergency staff meeting in the morning."

My god, even his voice is wrong.

My eyebrows knit together, the concern hitting me at once.

"Albus, what's happened?" The question is obviously urgent, but his tone doesn't change.

"The sixth year, Blair Maclaine."

"You're not making any sense." I tell him gently, intending to pull him through the door and force him to rest here, but his next words stop me in my tracks.

"Minerva, there's been another attack."

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please review!

At some point I'll be doing a time-skip, but that won't happen for a bit. At least until after we get through the Chamber of Secrets arc.

I hope you enjoyed!

Until next time...

~Neve