Author's Note: Hello All! I hope you are doing well. I have finally been able to finish and upload this new chapter. I think things are taking a rather exciting turn for our two main characters. This was an interesting chapter to write and I hope you enjoy it! I wish I could have a more concrete update schedule but school has become quite busy for me. It is my last semester of classes before student teaching and there is much to be done! I hope you enjoy it!
Minerva felt the distinct sensation of falling as she plummeted through the Pensieve. All around her memories began to unfold and materialize. She hardly knew that to expect from this experience. To be able to see the last night play out in front of them would certainly be an interesting event. To have Severus see it with her would be even more revealing.
She hoped that they would not be going too far back into her memories; she would be mortified if they landed in her dressing room. She was not sure that would be something that she would ever be able to live down. Alas, even if they did not land there she knew that she would be embarrassed one way or another. Some of what happened last night had been interesting to say the least.
Her worries about landing in her dressing room were soon abated when she landed on the floor of the entrance hall, right behind the Grand Staircase, with a thud. A moment later Severus landed next to her with ease. It was clear that he was far more experienced at this than she was.
How strange it was to see herself as she had been the night before! She supposed that this was what an out of body experience must be like. Or perhaps a movie of her life, but an interactive version so to speak. Presently the scene began to unfold before them.
As Minerva walked down the staircase she heard barely contained voices coming from the Entrance Hall. She knew that she should not eavesdrop, but it was especially difficult knowing that the voices belonged to Severus and Albus, and her name had been mentioned at least once. Perhaps if she just stood where she was they would not notice her. It would be incredibly rude to interrupt their conversation.
Perhaps conversations was the wrong word for it. Rather it seemed to be more of a heated discussion. While Albus had not even raised his voice his tone had lost its ever present cheerfulness. Severus on the other hand seemed more flustered than Minerva had ever seen him before. His voice was certainly less controlled than was normal for him.
"Albus, I implore you. I do not wish Minerva to participate in this event tonight. I am fully capable of performing my duties!" Severus said struggling to keep his voice down.
"Severus, I will hear no more of this. You know my mind on this matter. Minerva will accompany you on this mission tonight, and that is certain." Albus replied. "She is more than capable; I assure you. A more accomplished spy than you know."
"Yes Headmaster, but do you honestly believe she is up to this mission? That she is ready for this?" Severus asked.
"I am entirely certain of it. There is no one else in the Order I would trust so much with aiding you in this task." Albus said. "Now I shall consider the matter closed."
Severus looked like he was about to say something but he was prevented from his reply. Evidently Albus had noticed Minerva. "Ahh, Minerva. You do look quite lovely this evening. Wouldn't you agree Severus?"
"Of course." Severus said, barely looking at her.
"Do not mind him Minerva." Albus said leaning towards her conspiratorially. "He is always distant before going off on these missions. Between you and I it helps him get into character. Severus is a bit of a method actor."
Minerva laughed gently and smiled at the Headmaster hoping that he did not notice the hurt she still felt over his comments. The scene began to shift out of focus.
As they walked down the path from Hogwarts to their apparition point in the village Severus marched along quickly keeping a few yards ahead of Minerva. She found that she did not mind this too much as it gave her more time to contemplate his earlier actions, and his apparent coldness towards her. For some reason she was not buying Albus's excuse that he was merely getting into character.
While his overall actions were becoming less and less like the Severus she knew, she felt that the anger was real. This change in his attitude had been so strange. They had enjoyed a lovely afternoon together. This had all changed when Severus found out that Albus wanted both of them to go on this assignment together. His attitude about her going along had become more and more hostile, for lack of a better word.
Had he said anything even remotely offensive to her? No, but he had complained about her presence on this assignment, and actively campaigned against her coming. On top of that he had become rather cold towards her. Rather quickly she had managed to work herself into a mood. What right did he have to assume that she would be more of a hinderance than a help on this assignment? Why should he underestimate her abilities as a spy? She continued this little mental tirade until they were only a little ways away from the gates.
"Will you stop that Minerva?" Severus asked spinning around to face her all of a sudden. She had no choice but to abruptly stop. His voice was deathly quiet, yet it felt as if he had screamed at her.
"What is it exactly that you wish me to cease doing?" Minerva asked, her face impassive trying to keep her voice steady. "Shall I stop breathing, living, walking?"
Severus sighed. "You know perfectly well that it is none of those things. You are practically burning a hole in my head with your eyes and mind. Your loud thoughts are terribly distracting right now."
She looked at him dumbstruck. 'I cannot say I comprehend your meaning." she replied after a time.
"Please just make this evening as civil and uneventful as possible." he said rubbing his temple. "Whatever difficulties we may be having let us call a truce, for the sake of our safety. If you are angry please do not let it show, they will use your feelings against you, try and get inside your head. This is something that you do not want them to do."
The transfiguration professor hesitated for a moment, but in the end she reached out to shake his hand. Neither of them would break the truce for this evening. This little encounter had left her without answers to her questions, indeed it had left her with more questions than she had before, but it was all that she would be able to get from him for the time being. The rest of the walk to Hogsmeade was made in slightly less hostile silence.
The scene shifted again and they found themselves in a darkened alleyway in London. Outside of the alleyway cars sped past on the road. Unlike their world, the muggle world was not in hibernation. How blissful it must have been to be so unaware of what was going on in the world. What she would give to be able to return to some semblance of normal.
Severus pulled her further into the alleyway so that they were both completely hidden from view. They were soon deep in silent conference, even though they had taken the precaution of casting a silencing spell. One could never be too careful these days. Saying something around the wrong person could be the difference between life and death. Especially when two people were going over the details for a top secret mission, for a top secret organization.
"To recap Minerva you remember the plan for tonight?" the potions master asked her patiently. Almost as if he were speaking to a child it seemed to Minerva.
"Yes." she replied. "We will be attending a Ministry of Magic function on behalf of Albus. He was suddenly called away on pressing business and we are there as his representatives. There will be several Death Eaters and sympathizers at the gala. You will be acting the double agent. I will be the diplomatic face of the school, secretly keeping an eye on you. Or at least that is how things will appear."
"Exactly." Severus replied with a slight smile. "Now remember we are gathering information on the cause, those who are our allies within the Ministry, and those who are not. Understood?"
"Yes." Minerva replied. Why oh why did he have to handle this as if she were two years old? "Is there anything else?"
"We will be together for most of the evening, but it is possible that we may be separated for a time. If this does in fact happen I pray that you exercise extreme caution. There will be people here tonight who will wish you harm due to your position at the school. Your position of favor with the Headmaster is not exactly a secret. While in some circles this may be seen as quite advantageous, I can assure you that this is not the case here." Severus said warningly. "Further I would go so far as to caution you against accepting any food or drink without allowing me to check it for, shall we say, potentially harmful substances?"
"Understood." she replied.
"Good, Now we shall be on our way." Severus said. With a flick of his wand he cancelled the silencing spell and the pair departed down the alleyway to the seemingly innocuous apartment building the Ministry was using to host this event. From the outside it appeared to be a perfectly normal muggle block of flats, if not somewhat run down. All of the windows were dark, and it did not appear that there was anyone there. For a brief instant Minerva found herself wondering if there actually was anyone there, if perhaps they had come to the wrong place.
When they had reached the gate Severus pulled out his wand and tapped the entrance post three times. Suddenly it contorted until it had become a brilliant archway. The building that had previously appeared to be a block of flats, became a vast manor house. Light poured from the windowpanes, and one could see the outlines of people in discussion. Stepping through the gateway was like walking into another world. All of the buildings that had stood at either side had disappeared. It was as if they were in the country rather than at the center of a bustling city.
The inside of the building was just as grand as the outside had become. Upon giving their names at the door a junior ministry attendant took their cloaks and ushered them into the grand ballroom. Grand was perhaps not the best word to describe the room before them. To be sure it was an understatement of the highest degree. Minerva could not find the words to describe what splendor lay before them.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled magnificently above them floating from the ceiling. Silk and taffeta banners twisted elegantly from the balconies above. The floor was made up of what appeared to be glittering crystals. Elegance did not even begin to describe it. One could spend an entire evening admiring this beautiful hall.
It took Minerva a little while to pry her eyes from everything to notice everyone around them. The room was filled with ministry officials and members of prominent families in their world. Everyone was dressed in their best clothing, and clearly many were there to impress others. She turned around to say something to Severus, but was taken aback by what she saw. His appearance was not greatly altered but something about him seemed different, darker even.
It may have been the set of his jaw, or his posture, but something was different. His demeanor had completely changed. He no longer seemed like someone she could laugh and joke with, instead he was completely serious. So much so that if she had not known him better she would not have believed that any other version of him existed. This change in him frustrated her very much, but she knew that this was not the time nor the place to do or say anything about it.
Her thoughts on the matter were quickly interrupted when the Minister for Magic came over to greet them. Millicent Bagnold was certainly an imposing figure, even the toughest opponent knew better than to start an argument with her. Tonight though some of her stern exterior had dropped and she greeted them warmly.
She was not a very large witch, perhaps only reaching a height of around 5'2" tall but her steely gray eyes and her imposing jaw were enough to cause anyone to stand back. Her long brown hair bore streaks of silver, and was nearly always in a neat braid down her back. Unlike many of the other ministry officials she preferred to wear brightly colored robes to solid black and grey ones. In many ways she was like a female version of Albus. It was no wonder the two shared a close friendship.
"Professor McGonagall." she said. "How good of you to come tonight. I do hope you will enjoy the festivities taking place here."
"Thank you for your generous invitation Minister." Minerva said in kind.
"Yes." Severus said, turning on some charm, but still retaining his dark demeanor. "It was very gracious indeed for you to be so accommodating to us."
"You must be Professor Snape." Millicent said offering him her hand, which he took with little hesitation. "I am delighted to have both of you here tonight. Especially since Albus was so suddenly and unfortunately detained."
"The Headmaster is quite the busy man." Severus replied. "I am sure Minerva could attest to that."
"Indeed, his job is rather taxing, and it does tend to take him on rather unexpected business at times." Minerva replied.
"I understand." Millicent said, although Minerva was sure she must have suspected something was going on. "I must be off now, but do give Albus my warm regards when you next see him." With that the older witch left them.
Once she was gone Severus and Minerva made the obligatory rounds greeting ministry officials and prominent members of society. It was a task Minerva did not particularly relish, but one that she knew was of vital importance to their mission, and for that matter, the good of the school. Minerva soon discovered that Severus could be quite adept at the social graces. It soon came to a point, however, when the two of them split off from one another.
Secretly Minerva found this to be a relief. While she had agreed to Severus' "truce" she was still rather annoyed with him. While his attitude towards the Ministry officials had been quite cordial, amiable even, he had been rather chilly to her. It was as if he wanted to escape her presence. His attitude towards her was hurting matters more than helping them. She had no idea how Albus could have ever thought that this would work.
She would have to put those thoughts from her mind though. Alas, she was not here to analyze the behaviors of her coworker, she was here to socialize with those invited to the event. Still, it would be difficult not to keep thinking of this situation. Even now he was managing to charm officials across the room, one young brunette in particular.
It was while she was contemplating this that she was interrupted by the arrival of a young man. He was wearing a dark grey set of dress robes and he held a glass of champagne in his hands.
"Professor McGonagall, how nice it is to see you here this evening!" he said grandly.
"Cornelius, what a pleasure it is to see you." she said. "I was not expecting to see you here tonight." Cornelius Fudge was a young and ambitious politician who held high hopes of one day becoming Minister. The man was perhaps a bit dull, but his company was tolerable.
"Well you know how it is with these Ministry affairs. They were quite insistent that I attend. What its my office I must suppose it seemed only natural that I was invited to attend." he said. "Enough about me already, do tell me how you are getting on then."
"I am doing well." she replied. "Albeit I have been busier than I think I ever have been before in my life."
"I take it that Albus is certainly keeping you occupied." Cornelius replied playfully. "If the workload ever becomes too much, or the job becomes dull you will always have a place at the Ministry. You are certainly going places. I would not be surprised if one day you became a member of the Wizengamot."
"That is a very generous offer Cornelius." Minerva replied. "Hogwarts is my home though. It makes me very happy to be a professor at the school. Being a teacher is incredibly fulfilling for me. Although I must say the offer is quite flattering."
"It is not flattery if it is the truth my dear." Cornelius replied. "It sounds as if they are starting the music now. Would you care to join me for the first dance?"
"It would be a pleasure." she replied allowing him to take her hand and lead her to the floor. Although the music had one just begun several other couples had already taken to the dance floor. In the distance she even spotted Severus with a striking partner. he same woman he had been talking to before. Minerva had never seen the woman before tonight, but she and Severus seemed to be rather intimately acquainted. He just seemed so relaxed around her.
She could not help but feel a twinge of jealousy at this. It was ridiculous that she should feel such an emotion. After all she should have realized that he probably had other acquaintances, friends, or even more than that outside of Hogwarts. It was selfish of her to believe that she was his only confidante. It made sense after all. There was still so much about him that she did not know.
Once the dance began her thoughts on her co-worker vanished. She was swept away in the music. Cornelius was an amiable partner, if not always in step. While he was somewhat self absorbed he did have a good heart. Before she even realized it the dance was over and Cornelius was asking her if she would like the next dance as well.
He was interrupted, however, by another. It would seem that the younger Barty Crouch was in need of a partner and Minerva had caught his attention. As he was the son of a prominent official Cornelius Fudge gallantly stepped aside. The young Crouch was a precocious boy. Minerva had faint memories of him from their overlapping time at Hogwarts. She remembered that he was considered to be quite a promising scholar with his intellectual gifts; with his father's position in the Ministry she was certain that he would be going places.
The boy was not a bad dancer, and he kept her engaged in charming conversation throughout the dance. It had been pleasant enough that they had a second dance together, and they were beginning a third when a familiar voice cut in from behind Minerva.
"If you will allow me to cut in." Severus said, his voice silky and smooth. Minerva promised me the next set of dances." Barty was about to protest, but Severus gave him a withering glare. It was quite effectual, for it silenced the boy.
Minerva hardly knew what was happening before Severus swept her away. For a moment she was speechless, then the music began. He placed his hand firmly on her waist, and with his other hand gently, but firmly took hers. He was an astonishingly good dancer. There was no stepping on toes, or any awkward moments of wondering who would lead. In the moment she completely forgot her perturbation with him. Their eyes locked, and she was lost in another world.
It was Severus who finally initiated the conversation after a time. "I see that you have had quite the array of partners this evening Minerva." Severus said with a faint but distinct chill to his voice.
"I would not go quite that far." Minerva replied. "My two partners this evening both proved to be charming and enjoyable companions."
"Charming and enjoyable? I am sure Cornelius regaled you with his tales of Ministry politics and his plans to run for Minister. Or perhaps he enraptured you with a list of his self perceived accomplishments." Severus said with a snort. "All while ensuring that your feet would be quite the worse for wear tomorrow morning. Do not even get me started on that second partner of yours. You should be thanking me for rescuing you from his grasp."
"Rescuing me Severus?" she asked indignantly. "In no way did I need rescuing. I am not a damsel in distress. There was no harm in either our conversation, nor our dancing. He was far more amiable than you in our two dances together."
"I would not spend half so much time in his company as that! That boy is trouble Minerva. He is not the person you want to be associating with." Severus said. "Consider this to be a friendly warning."
"Do I not seem trustworthy Severus? Am I incapable of choosing whom I associate with and whom I do not?" She could not believe that he was accosting her thusly.
"In this matter I ask only that you trust me and do not do anything foolhardy." he replied. "I cannot spend my entire evening watching you to make sure you do not get yourself into a dangerous situation. I too have a job to perform this evening."
"Does that job include galavanting off with different ladies? If so I must apologize for stealing you away from your partner over there. Even now she is glaring at us. Who is she Severus? An acquaintance, a friend, a lover?" Minerva asked, far more bitterness in her voice than she had expected.
Severus stiffened at her last sentence. "With whom I associate inside and outside of work is absolutely none of your concern." he replied icily.
"Yet my associations are of your concern?" Minerva asked bitterly. "It hardly seems fair that you alone are above reproach."
"This is quite a different situation. Barty Crouch is not a good person. He strikes me as the type who drowns puppies and kittens in his spare time." Severus said. "He has made plenty of horrible choices in his time, and as yet has shown no remorse for any of them."
"This talk of poor decision making is rich coming from you Severus." she replied, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth she regretted them.
There was no going back now though. Their second dance was ending. Severus' normally impassive mask began to show signs of anger, maybe even hurt. Just as soon though they vanished. "Now that you have gallantly rescued me rom a fate worse than death and your duty is now done go rejoin your lover. She seems to be quite the impatient type."
Without another word he turned on his heel and left. Once he had gone she wished he had not. His leaving as he had did confirm her suspicions. He did have a lover, although why this bothered her so much she did not know. She was momentarily confused by all of these feelings. Perhaps it was the situation, seeing all of these couples only served to make her think of what she had given up.
When the music began for the next dance she found herself a wallflower. Severus had indeed gone back to dancing with that woman. Her expression when she looked over at Minerva was infuriatingly smug. What she needed now was some air.
She made her way through the ballroom and out the back way to a pleasant veranda overlooking a well manicured garden; complete with a hedge maze and fountains. Under other circumstances she would consider this view to be quite lovely, but tonight she just found it to be a little too much. The Ministry had certainly outdone themselves with the enchantments for the courtyard. One could not even tell that they were in a bustling city.
She leaned out over the stone railing and took a few deep breaths, allowing herself to relax a bit. The cool autumn air did her a great deal of good. It would be a relief to return to the school that evening. As she was preparing to return to the party another person joined her at the railing, a drink in hand.
"Take this." Barty said. "It will make you feel better."
Minerva looked down at the glass he held out to her. Severus had warned her about the food and drink here. Yet this was a Ministry of Magic function. There was no one here who should wish her harm. Barty also happened to be the son of a very prominent official. Yet, Severus had warned her about him too. It did not make sense though. He gave her no reason to distrust him, and there was certainly no reason he should wish her ill.
While this boy might have been particularly awkward socially his manners were good enough. She had never heard anyone utter a negative word against him, save for Severus just now. Tonight he had even shown her a great deal of kindness. What did Severus know about him anyhow?
She raised the glass to her lips to drink from it, but stopped short. For some reason she could not shake off the feeling that this was a bad idea.
"Is something the matter?" Barty asked her gently.
"I just realized that I am quite famished. One should not drink on an empty stomach." she replied.
"I will go get you some food. In the meantime, drink up. It will make you feel better." he said, then headed inside.
Suddenly she felt an extremely strong and overwhelming desire to drink what was in the glass. She wanted to drink the liquid so badly. It was perfectly safe, her worries were ridiculous. The contents of that glass would make her feel so much better. Liquid was life giving after all, and it had been quite awhile since she had anything to drink. She would not be harmed by it, only helped.
Raising the glass to her lips she prepared to drink it. She hear a faint far off sound, then a voice. She may have heard a name, her own, but none of that mattered. Only the contents of this glass were important. Now she would drink.
Suddenly the glass was snatched from her hand. "Minerva, what on earth do you think you are doing?" a distant voice asked her. "Minerva, Minerva?"
All she could think about was the contents of that glass. She had to get back to it, she desperately needed it. At all costs she had to get it.
"Minerva?" the voice replied with barely perceptible concern. "Snap out of it."
The voice was a vague echo now. The one thing separating her from the glass. Desperately she reached for it again.
"Minerva, Minerva." Severus said almost shaking her. "Snap out of it." It was no use though, his words were only empty echoes in her mind. She needed what was in that glass, she needed it badly. Again she tried to reach for it, but Severus managed to keep it from her grasp. In vain she tried to attack him for it, but it was of no use.
"What on earth has gotten into you woman?" Severus asked. Carefully he brought the cup closer to him and sniffed the contents. He frowned slightly. "Who gave you this drink Minerva?"
"I need what is in that cup Severus." She said carefully, eyeing a weakness and preparing to grab it from him. If he stayed just the way he was she would be able to grab it and down the liquid. When the time appeared right, she pounced.
Severus was quicker than she had given him credit for, he had moved away just in the nick of time. "Minerva, this is irrational." Severus said slowly. "You do not want what is in this glass, trust me." With that he took the glass and attempted to pour its contents our. Unfortunately though, nothing was happening. The liquid just stayed in the glass. Minerva lunged for it again, but this time Severus did something wholly unexpected. He raised the glass to his lips and swallowed down the liquid. In moments it was gone, and suddenly Minerva's head cleared up.
"Severus." she asked quietly. "What just happened, what did you just do?"
"Something incredibly foolish." he said slipping the empty glass back into her hand. "We do not have much time Minerva, we will need to be going quite soon. At best we have about fifteen minutes to get out of here. Now I must know, who gave you this glass?"
She was prevented from answering by the very man who had given her the glass before. "Ahh Minerva, Snape. How good it is to see both of you out here now. Minerva and I were just getting better acquainted, weren't we dear?" Severus visibly stiffened at the encounter, it would seem that he and the young Barty Crouch were already acquainted and Severus' position did not seem to be terribly favorable.
"I am afraid that Professor Snape and I must be going." Minerva replied heeding Severus' warning. "Perhaps another time."
"Yes, another time." Severus replied almost icily. "Now we must really be going."
"No, really, I insist the lady stays Snape, leave if you will but I will take care of Minerva." Barty said stepping closer to them.
"I am sure you would." Severus said under his breath. He placed his hand on Minerva's elbow.
"Now, now, Severus. Play fair you already have one woman, you do not need a second one." Some men had come out to join Barty now, some rather menacing looking men. As they came closer Severus wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her somewhat behind him so that he was shielding her.
"Perhaps I did not make myself clear before." Severus said. "We are leaving now." The men started to close in on them.
They backed closer and closer to the gate. Minerva's heart was pounding now. "Come Severus, do you not think this is a little irrational. It is not you we want but the girl. Do not be a fool." Barty said laughing as if they were simply enjoying an entertaining conversation.
Severus kept his wand pointed at the figures before them. "I think not. You shall not get her. " he replied calmly.
"Neither will you at this rate." Barty said unconcerned.
Severus brought Minerva closer to him and whispered in her ear. "Do you trust me?" he asked, and she nodded her head in reply. He pulled her even closer to him, his arm more firmly wrapped around her waist.
"What do you think you are doing Snivellus?" Barty asked laughing. "You think that by holding her you can somehow protect her? There are five of us, and one of you, this will hardly work out in your favor."
"Indeed?" Severus asked backing up even further still. They were now almost touching the stone railing. They had nowhere else to go. "On my signal Minerva, grab on to me and hold on tight." he said so quietly she could barely hear him.
"Yes, it seems your little game has come to an end. It was a lost cause from the beginning you know. For you see, what I want, I get. I always have, and I always will. My loyalty is unquestionable." Barty said. "You have nowhere to run, nowhere to hide."
Suddenly Severus flicked his wand behind them and with a bang a large portion of the veranda had crumpled to dust.
"Are you planning on jumping then? I can assure you that it is a futile attempt at best. We are two or three stories up. Assuming you survive the fall you will have numerous broken bones to contend with. Why not end this the easy way and just give up."
"Do you trust me?" Severus asked Minerva one more time.
"Yes." she replied without hesitation. Somehow she knew that he would be able to get them out of this, although she was not sure how he would manage it.
"Good." he replied. Barty raised his wand and sent a curse their way. Quick as a flash Severus deflected it. "Now." he said to Minerva, and she did as he had instructed her. They had reached the end of the veranda. She could feel the open air behind her. There was nothing between them and the ground below.
"You win Barty." Severus said. "It was a rather foolish thought anyway." Severus slipped his wand back up his sleeve.
"I am glad you could see things my way. It would have been a shame to lose you, one who is so important to the cause." Barty said, putting his own wand away. He started walking towards them but just as he was drawing near to them Severus stepped backwards pulling Minerva with him.
She felt a bit of a tug, and then they were falling, backwards, to what seemed like certain doom. Her heart raced and she felt fear like she had never felt before. The moment they had gone over the ledge she had plastered her eyes shut, she could not bear to look. Within seconds they would be smashing into the ground below. Minerva braced herself for the impact, for that last bit of time she might have, but alas it never came.
Cautiously she opened one eye, and looked out, careful not to let go of Severus. They were no longer hurtling towards the ground. In fact it seemed that they were gliding, nay, flying, towards the hedge maze in the middle of the garden. Everything felt so calm, in what felt like just a few moments they were well within the boundaries of the maze and they gently touched down.
"Are you quite alright?" Severus asked after a moment's hesitation.
"Yes." Minerva replied, but her voice was still rather shaky.
"No injuries? He did not lay a hand on you, did he?" Severus asked almost dangerously.
"No." Minerva replied emphatically.
"Good, you do not know just how relieved I am to hear that." Severus replied letting out a deep breath. "Are you certain that you are okay?"
"Yes, I am just sorry that I was so stupid tonight." she said ruefully.
"You did make some questionable decisions." Severus agreed. "You are not entirely to blame though, I should never have let you out of my sight. If anything had happened to you I do not know what I would have done. I was so worried when I saw that you had disappeared from the ballroom, then when I found you outside."
"I know, I was rash and foolish tonight." Minerva replied looking down. She felt like a complete imbecile. What had she been thinking tonight? Where had her rational thought gone, what must Severus think of her now.
"Do not blame yourself." Severus said cupping brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear and cupping her cheek.
Minerva felt a warm tingle run through her, and she brought her gaze up to meet his. For a moment their eyes locked, his deep black ones, and her green ones. Then he leaned forward and kissed her. She had not seen it coming but its effect was immediate. She felt warmth wash all over her entire body; there were butterflies in her stomach. It was the loveliest sensation, she had been kissed before, but never like this. He was so gentle, so different.
After a few moments they broke off the kiss and Severus held her in a close embrace. She breathed in deeply and took in his scent; it was quite intoxicating. How had she never managed to notice that before? Severus kissed her forehead and rubbed gentle circles on her back as they stood there in the middle of the maze.
"We should be going now." Severus said quietly. "They are apt to be on our tail by now, once they realize that we did not fall to our deaths. It was probably foolish to have waited this long."
"You are probably right." Minerva said feeling dejected. It seemed as though he already regretted their kiss.
"Minerva." he said, tilting her chin up so that he could look into her eyes. "Though it may have been foolish, I am not sorry this happened. Not in the least bit." With that he kissed her again softly, just brushing her lips with his.
"What is the plan from here?" she asked after a moment.
"We need to apparate out of here." he replied. "If we go through the center of the maze there is an apparition point. From there we must go. We cannot return to Hogsmeade tonight, it is after midnight and we know the area will be well guarded. We will have to go elsewhere. If we sidelong apparate I know a place where we can go, but we have to hurry. I am not sure how much longer my strength will hold out.
They clasped hands and ran through the maze, as they were nearing the center of the maze they heard noises, rustlings. The others were quite close now. Severus was right, they had to find the apparition point and fast. Weaving through passages, and ducking under archways they finally made it to the center of the maze.
"Ready?" Severus asked her, placing an arm around her waist.
"Yes." she replied. Suddenly Barty and his cronies broke through the hedges and raised their wands towards them. Then Minerva felt the familiar sensation of being squeezed through a tube and clamped her eyes shut. When she opened them again they were in the middle of a forest.
With a thud she landed on the floor of Severus' rooms, a moment later he was standing next to her. For a moment neither of them said anything. Severus would not meet her eyes. "I know what happened to my memories now." he said, fists clenched.
"Oh?" Minerva asked still a little dazed from their trip into the Pensieve.
"That drink, the one that Barty gave you, it was drugged." Severus said disgusted.
"I did not realize…" she said. "I was quite stupid last night. I do not know what came over me when he handed me that glass. Please do not be angry with me."
"With you? How could I be angry with you? It is he that I am upset with, and myself. He not only gave you a drugged glass, but he placed a compulsion spell on it. His thoughts were broadcasting loud and clear, the imbecile." Severus said. "I should have realized, I should never have left you there. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"Do not blame yourself Severus, you could not possibly have known what would happen." Minerva implored.
"I was supposed to be responsible for you Minerva." Severus said looking away from her. "I was supposed to make sure nothing happened to you, that you returned unscathed."
"You did your job quite well, here I stand completely unscathed." Minerva replied.
"Somehow we managed to get through this, but I nearly compromised everything." he said. "This is exactly why I did not want to bring you along."
"You mean to tell me, it is not because you think I am incompetent?" she asked, surprised.
"Do not be ridiculous Minerva, you are extremely competent." Severus replied.
"Well then, I do not see the problem." she replied.
"Must I spell it out for you?" he asked her. "I did not want you to have to see the things you did. Merlin's beard, you saw me at my worst for a good portion of the night. That alone is something your should have never have had to see again."
"Everything is alright Severus." Minerva replied soothingly. "We made it home safe and sound. You are not an awful person. In fact in many ways, I think I saw you at your very best."
"No everything is not alright Minerva." Severus said. "What you must think of me now. If all of my behavior at the gala did not actually destroy your opinion of me, than that incident in the hedge maze should have. I was unable to restrain myself, I lost control in that moment. You did not even give me permission to kiss you."
"Severus." Minerva said walking towards him. "I was completely complicit with that, if you are guilty, then I am afraid I am as well." She cupped his cheek in her hand gently. He placed his hand overtop of hers and gently brought it away from his face clasping it in his.
"Professor Snape." came a voice from behind them.
"Yes, Professor Edgars." Severus replied.
"You are wanted in the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey is taking inventory and she requires your assistance." the portrait said.
"Thank you Professor." Severus replied. "Please let Madam Pomfrey know that I will be up momentarily." With that the portrait bowed and disappeared.
"Minerva, before I go I have to know something." Severus said.
"Yes." she replied.
"Did I , I didn't take advantage of you, after we had gotten to the forest?" he asked a look of worry in his eyes. "Did I do anything untoward?"
"No such thing." she replied. "You were the perfect gentleman."
Severus looked relieved. "I am glad." he said. "I suppose I must be going then. Will I see you again later today?"
"I believe you will." Minerva replied. "There is much preparation to be done. Tonight is the Halloween Feast."