Author's Note: Hello All! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here is the latest installment. It would seem that the disagreement between Severus and Minerva is still going on, and as promised Severus is introduced to the Order. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter, hopefully the next one will be up sometime soon. One of my New Year's resolutions is to update this story more often.
Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Harry Potter, alas it belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Minerva hadn't spoken to Severus at all in the week that had passed. After he stormed out of her office on the day of their argument she had done her very best to avoid him. She had taken care to spend more time with other staff members, and she tried to make sure that she was not walking through the halls on her own. Severus would not interrupt a conversation that she was having with someone else, or try to ingratiate himself into a conversation with Pomona or Poppy. As she sat at the head table for breakfast she just wanted to get everything off of her mind. To do this she tried to think of anything that could distract her.
Finally something came to her, there was an Order Meeting tonight, just the thing that Minerva needed to clear her mind from the events of the past week. Somehow she had managed to forget all about it. She had felt awful for awhile after that chess game with Severus had gone awry. That had been what had caused her to forget about this. It still stung that he had not told her what he was. Admittedly she would miss his company, but knowing who he was made it impossible for them to continue things as they were going.
So many of their students had been affected by this war in some way, so many of them had lost family and friends at the hands of the Death Eaters. It was sickening to think that one of her fellow staff members had been in league with those who had committed such atrocities. It had never occurred to her before this moment that he could have been the one responsible for committing some of those atrocities. Severus could very well have been the reason that one of their students had lost a family member.
When he walked into the Great Hall she immediately engaged herself in reading a new article in Transfiguration Today, she desperately hoped that this would allow her to go unnoticed. She cursed herself inwardly for coming down to Breakfast earlier than she normally would today. There were few people there to begin with save for herself,Querinus, and oddly enough Sibyl.
Severus took a seat two places away from where Minerva was. Concentrating on the article she was reading she tried hard to appear engrossed in it. Her concentration was only broken when she realized that someone was talking to her. Looking up from her magazine she saw that it was Filius.
"I'm terribly sorry, I did not see you there." Minerva said to Filius; somewhat embarrassed.
"It's quite alright." Filius said with a chuckle. "That article you are reading must be terribly interesting, I'm sorry to pull you away from it."
"No trouble at all Filius, I assure you. Truth be told I was not really reading the article in the first place, I was rather lost in thought." She replied. "I'm rather glad to have a distraction."
"So long as I am not tearing you away from something frightfully interesting." Filius said raising an eyebrow at her.
"Not at all." Minerva said with a smile.
"In that case, how have you been faring my dear girl?" He asked kindly. "I know that the first few weeks of school can be rather difficult, especially when it is your first full year teaching as a professor."
"It has been somewhat trying, however I am finding that I truly enjoy this kind of work." Minerva said.
"I am glad to hear it, that is excellent indeed." Filius said with a smile. "I think that you will be an excellent teacher."
Minerva blushed and looked down for a moment. "I certainly hope that I will be able to prove you right."
"I do not doubt that you will." Filius said. "Has everything been going well in your classes?"
"Yes, my students seem to be hard workers, I have not had any cause too much trouble yet, save for a few who have unintentionally caused problems casting spells incorrectly. That is only to be expected though I am sure. Our students are not all gifted in the same areas." Minerva said.
"You are right dear girl, I am glad that you have the wisdom to understand this. Often professors are not as understanding as they should be about this sort of thing. The best way to help those who are having a difficult time in your subject is to be understanding of that, play to their strengths. If a student is weak in Transfiguration, but they are particularly strong in a subject such as potions try explaining what you are trying to teach them how you would if you were teaching a potions class, approach it with a different attitude." He said.
"What you are saying makes a lot of sense." Minerva replied. "I think I shall begin implementing that sort of teaching in my classroom. It can only help."
"I presume you already know which students to watch out for?" Filius replied. "In terms of behavioral matters that is."
"I believe I have picked out a few in some of my classes. Matthew Davis, John Michaels, Kenneth Johnson, and possibly Moira Jones come to mind." Minerva said. "Although none of them have caused any trouble in my classes as of yet, I have heard tales from other professors, and they have shown certain signs of being, shall I say, mischief makers?"
"Those were just the students I was thinking of." Filius said. "Mischief makers does seem to be rather a fitting title for those four students. They have been an inseparable group of friends from the time they started school here four years ago. Overall I believe them to be good children, but they happen to get into sticky situations, always pushing the boundaries. They always want to see just how far they can go with something, see just how much they can push a professor. If you know what they are trying to do ahead of time it is easier to prevent that from happening. I do not need to tell you that it is a bad idea to allow students to be in control of the classroom. It is important that you keep clear boundaries in your classes and keep the distinction between teacher and student."
"Naturally I shall keep an eye on them. My classroom has strict rules on behavioral conduct and I shall endeavor to enforce those rules without exception"
"Good, in doing this you will be developing their respect." Filius said. "Now enough on classroom management. How have you been doing? I haven't seen much of you in the staffroom and outside of your classes this year, I hope that everything is okay."
"Things are fine, I assure you." Minerva replied trying to reassure him. "I have just been rather busy these few weeks, trying to get acquainted with all of my new duties, and grading papers."
"That is understandable. All of that is extremely important. I hope you also realize the importance of getting away from your work for a little while as well, you need to have some time to relax. My door is always open if you need someone to talk to, or you just want to have a cup of tea."
"Thank you Filius, I truly am grateful for all of this." Minerva said. "I'll be sure to take you up on that offer sometime in the future."
"In the very near future I hope." Filius said patting her hand. "By the end of this week at the latest."
"You drive a hard bargain, but I think I can find the time in my schedule." Minerva replied with a smile.
"Good I shall look forward to it." Filius said. "I'll have tea and cakes."
"Thank you Filius, I have enjoyed this conversation immensely."
"As have I Minerva, as have I." He replied. "Now I presume that as I do you have to get to class as well."
"Indeed." Minerva replied, looking at her watch and promptly getting up. It was much later than she thought, the conversation with Filius had caused her to lose track of time. If she did not hurry she would be late to her first class.
As Minerva was preparing to leave for the Order meeting there was a knock at her office door. Without looking up from the report she was finishing off she bade whomever it was to enter.
"Good evening Minerva." came an all too familiar voice from across her desk.
Minerva looked up directly into the eyes of the one she had been avoiding for the past week. She couldn't help but wonder what exactly his intentions were. They had no reason to speak to one another, unless of course it had to do with work.
"How may I help you Professor Snape?" Minerva asked with a forced air of civility. "Is it school business? If it is not I am afraid it will have to wait. I am rather busy this evening."
"Then I shall get straight to the point. I am here to return something to you, I believe that you left this magazine in the Great Hall after breakfast this morning." Severus said handing her the magazine.
"Is that all you have to say?" Minerva asked glancing up at him from her work, almost daring him to just walk away.
"No, actually. I came here to apologize." He said somewhat stiffly.
"Get on with it then." She said.
"I should have told you about my past. It is something that I would rather forget myself, if I could go back in time and change it all I would in a heartbeat." Severus said.
"Words aren't going to change anything, I cannot accept this apology. You hid this information from me, the fact of the matter is that you were one of them. A group of people responsible for terrorizing our people, not to mention the muggles. A vicious hateful organization which would stoop to anything to attain power. I am afraid that is not something that I could forgive." Minerva snapped at him.
"You condemn me on those charges?" Severus asked her icily. "Have you not considered that there might be something more to the story?"
"What more could there possibly be? I do not see what redeeming qualities there are for me to find in all of this. I do not believe that there are any possible reasons you could give me for this that would justify your actions. So many innocent people have suffered and died at the hands of this group you chose to associate yourself with. A league of murderers all the same. How do I know some of our students didn't suffer and die at your hands?" Minerva spat at him.
"You are insinuating that I am a murderer." Severus said all of the emotion drained from his voice. "Is that what you think of me? That I am a ruthless killer, scum of the earth, the dirt beneath your feet?"
As he continued to speak his voice became softer and softer until it was almost imperceptible. "You would deign to believe that I did those things, my very presence disgusts you, doesn't it? I have done absolutely nothing to you to deserve this treatment." he said. "I thought you were different than the rest of them, I thought you had a sense of human decency."
"I do which is why I must ask you to vacate this room." Minerva said in a sterner tone than she thought was possible. She somehow managed to keep her face free from all emotion. He was rather frightening in this state of anger, it took quite a bit to stand up to him like this. It was necessary that she stand her ground and not allow him to bully her into listening to him.
"Very well, I shall endeavor to remove myself and all that I am from this space Professor McGonagall." He said making a slight bow to her as he walked towards the door. "It's true what they say, you really are as cold as ice. Farewell Professor."
That last comment he had made cut Minerva far deeper than she was willing to admit even to herself. She would not give Professor Snape the satisfaction of seeing that he had hit his target. Minerva was absolutely shaking after he left, mostly out of anger, but his presence had sent shivers of fear down her spine.
What was he playing at coming here and asking her forgiveness? Of all the people he did not have the right to that. As she gathered up her notes and report for the Order tonight she couldn't help but feel a deep and intense anger towards this man. If she could even give him the dignity of calling him such. The audacity of him thinking that she would be willing to forgive him for what he had done made her blood boil.
She angrily slammed the door to her office shut as she left. If she did not hurry she would be late to this meeting. Oh the nerve of that insufferable man, he caused her to be late to a terribly important meeting. Running now she made it to Albus's office as quickly as she could. There were perks to being one of his favorites, she would be able to apparate with him to the meeting.
Rushing through the door she quickly apologized to Albus for her tardiness but she stopped in her tracks when she was who was there as well. That insufferable man was waiting with Albus, glaring at her.
"Minerva I am glad that you are here now." Albus said breaking the intense silence. "Now we may depart for the Burrow. Forgive my not telling you that we would have a third person this evening. It just seemed easier for us all to go together."
She could not believe what she had just seen and heard. Surely Albus would not take a man such as this into the Order, there must be some other reason that he was going with them. Perhaps he had some business in that town, any excuse would do. Minerva knew better than to question Albus, especially in the presence of someone else. From this point forward she knew it was going to be a long evening.
"Alright you two, we shall be on our way." Albus said taking Minerva and Severus' hands in his. "If you would, take Minerva's hand Severus. She does not bite I assure you."
"The jury is still out on that one Headmaster." Severus said under his breath, but taking her hand anyway. Minerva couldn't help but recoil at his touch initially, but she did her best to be civil, after fixing him with a glare.
"Now now, I cannot have my staff members arguing. I will have none of that at the meeting this evening. Have I made myself clear?" Albus asked the two of them sternly.
"As you wish Headmaster." Severus replied
"Yes Albus." Minerva replied.
"Good." Albus replied. "On the count of three we will depart. One, two, three."
With very little warning they found themselves being pulled away from the ground they were standing on. Although Minerva was used to apparating the sensation it created could still be quite overwhelming when one was not prepared for the journey. Side-along apparition was quite uncomfortable for this reason. Much to her annoyance she found herself gripping Severus' hand tighter as a means of steadying herself.
Once they had arrived down the hill from the house the three remained with their hands entwined until they regained their balance. Minerva was somewhat pleased to see that Severus too looked somewhat green around the gills from that trip. It certainly served him right. As soon as they were situated the two of them followed Albus up the hill to the Weasley residence.
There was absolutely no denying the fact that Severus was going to the meeting as well. This was going to be a long evening, there was no doubt about it. When they made it inside they were greeted by the Weasley's and many of the other members of the Order. If they were shocked by Severus' presence they did not show any sign of it.
The meeting turned out to be shorter than expected, there was very little new information to be shared, rather members of the Order gave brief updates on projects that they were working on. Near the end of the meeting Albus introduced Severus both as a new staff member at Hogwarts and as a new member of the Order.
"I would like to welcome Professor Severus Snape to the Order." Albus said. "Severus is a Potions Master and the newest professor at Hogwarts. In addition to his other duties within the Order he will prepare potions for us when necessary and provide first aid. Severus is extremely skilled at producing antidotes and at counteracting the dark arts among other things. He should prove to be an excellent ally to our cause."
There was a round of applause from the other assembled members and Albus dismissed the meeting. Molly Weasley had made biscuits and tea for everyone, and there was a social gathering afterwards. Naturally everyone was terribly interested in getting acquainted with Severus, save for a few of the people he went to school with.
"It's good to see you Minerva." Molly Weasley said after she had finished serving everyone.
"It's nice to see you too Molly." Minerva replied happy to have some distraction and to see her friend again. "How is everything around here?"
"Busy as usual with the children." she said. "I do love it though."
"How is the baby?" Minerva asked. "She must be a bit of a handful."
"She is absolutely wonderful." Molly said with a smile. "Arthur and I have this down to a science by this point, we know how to take care of things. Besides after Fred and George I can handle anything." Both women got a chuckle out of this.
"You keep telling me that Fred and George are quite a handful but I must admit that I have yet to see this. In my experience they have always been very well behaved." Minerva said.
"That is how they want you to see them. They are good boys, just rather mischievous. You will see when they go to Hogwarts, mark my words." Molly replied. "Speaking of which how is everything going this year? Are you enjoying teaching?"
"I really am quite fond of it. At times it can be trying but it is a satisfying profession. It has only been a few months, but now I cannot imagine myself doing anything else."
"I am glad to hear it." Molly said with a grin. "How is the new professor working out? He looks to be about your age, I am sure the two of you have made fast friends."
Minerva gave Molly a stern look. "I am afraid you are quite mistaken. We are colleagues, and that is where it ends."
"I see." Molly said looking at Minerva quizzically.
"It is simply impossible for you to read anything into this Molly, I know that look. I can save you a lot of trouble right now. I loathe him, and I am quite certain the feeling is mutual from him." Minerva said.
"I'm rather inclined to disagree." Molly replied. "They always say there is a fine line between love and hate."
"In this case there are very well defined lines, a veritable canyon separates us." Minerva said firmly.
"It is likely that the two of you have more in common than you think. There is no reason that the two of you cannot be on friendly terms at some point or other." Molly said with a smile.
Minerva had to roll her eyes at this. "I do not see that happening, we are more likely to be drawing battle lines in the sand."
"If you insist." Molly said with a wink. "You could do far worse though."
"This is not going anywhere." Minerva replied with a sigh.
"Alright." Molly said in mock exasperation. "I can tell when I am not wanted, I work on some of the cleaning." With that she began picking up cups and saucers and removing them to the kitchen.
Minerva looked around trying to discern if Albus was ready to go, She could always leave on her own, but that would involved ending up in Hogsmeade and having to walk back to the castle. It was getting late, she did not want to spend the extra time. Albus must have known what she was thinking because he waved her over to where he and Severus were standing.
Quickly she joined them. "Are the two of you ready to return to the school now?" he asked as Minerva reached them.
"If it is all the same Headmaster I have to run a quick errand before heading back to the school." Severus said.
The two men exchanged a look before Albus replied. "I understand. Come see me in my office upon your return."
"Of course." Severus replied. "Good evening Headmaster. Professor McGonagall." With that he slipped out through the door and was gone.
"Very well Minerva it looks as if it will be just the two of us for this return trip. I know there are questions you want to ask me but please wait until we are back in my office. This is not the place for them." Albus said.
"Of course Albus." Minerva replied taking his proffered arm. The two of them left saying goodbye to their fellow Order members on the way out. At the bottom of the hill they apparated back to the Headmaster's office. On the return trip it took less time for Minerva to regain hr footing. Once she was sure she was alright she let go of Albus's hands and he gestured towards two of the comfortable chairs by the fire.
"You may now proceed with your questions for me." Albus said taking the seat across from her.
"How could you allow Professor Snape to join the Order?" She asked almost immediately after she sat down. "Knowing what he is, what he does?"
"I presume you are referring to the fact that Severus bears the Dark Mark on his arm." Albus replied calmly.
"In a manner of speaking yes, he is a Death Eater." Minerva replied shocked at how calm Albus was right now.
"It is true that he used to belong to that organization." Albus said.
"Used to? How could you even consider allowing someone like that to work in our school? I have difficulty believing that he was able to leave the ranks of the Death Eaters so easily. That he could change a whole set of beliefs."
"You are right, he has not left the Death Eaters in a sense of physically leaving the group, but in body and spirit is not one of them anymore. Dare I say I do not believe that he was ever truly one of them to begin with." Albus said.
"I am not sure what you mean. I know it is not my place to question but how can you trust a man like that? A "defector" to our side."
"I trust Severus implicitly." Albus replied. "While there are some things I believe he still must change about himself, he is a good man inside. Further this man is willing to risk his life on a near constant basis to work as a spy for the Order and collect information for us from within Voldemort's inner circle. With him on our side we have access to information that we never would have had before. What he does is very dangerous, Severus is constantly walking a very fine line between our two sides and he is willing to risk everything to help us."
Minerva was absolutely stunned at this. "How can you be sure that he will remain loyal to our side? How do we know that he is not actually working against our cause?"
"There are some bonds that cannot be broken, he is one of the most loyal people I know. While I cannot disclose his reasons for coming to our side, I can say that they are strong enough to keep him here. Besides he is so good with potions, our students need the discipline that he can provide and the guidance. He will be such an excellent help to Madam Pomfrey."
"Very well Albus. I shall trust your judgement on this. Thank you for clearing this up for me."
"I am happy to assist you Minerva." he replied. "Now you really should be getting some rest." He walked her to the door and the two of them said goodnight.
As Minerva made the journey back to her rooms she couldn't help but think about just how wrong she was about him. She was embarrassed for the things she had said, and she would be eating crow for this now. Somehow she had managed to ruin a perfectly good friendship through her own wild insinuations. She hadn't even listened to him when he had tried to give her an explanation. If Albus trusted him, she knew that she must trust him as well. Somehow she would make things right again.