"Something doesn't seem right," Sybil whispered to Minerva as they walked past the Ravenclaw common room.

"You say that all the time, Sybil," Minerva replied. Sybil knew Minerva never believed any of her predictions. The woman was as stiff as cardboard. She was all about the physical, the tangible, and she had no respect for anything she couldn't see out her spectacles. "I really would prefer to just get rounds over with as quick as possible." Minerva lit up the hall as they continued their walk.

"Bad things are happening here," Sybil insisted.

"I would have to agree with the old fraud," came a voice from behind them.

On instinct, Sybil grasped Minerva's arm as they turned around and Minerva lowered her wand as a light from the other person's wand lit up the hall. As much as Minerva's lack of respect for her discipline hurt her feelings, she felt safe with the witch beside her. She was far more powerful than Sybil would be, at least, when it came to physical threats. Before them stood a man with long blonde hair, his face vaguely familiar to Sybil. It was obvious she had never met him, but everything about him seemed like she had. "Lucius Malfoy," Minerva said with more bitterness in her voice than Sybil had ever heard, even for her. Malfoy…it made sense. It was Draco's father. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Stepping out of the shadows was Severus, and Sybil gripped Minerva's arm tighter. Severus looked miserable, which was saying something for someone that had a consistently nasty aura surrounding him. "I was just telling my old friend here that there has been a chance in leadership at Hogwarts. Requested by the board, of course," Lucius replied.

Minerva slowly pried Sybil's arm off her, taking a step towards the Malfoy father. "And you decided to come to the castle and enforce that at midnight? This couldn't have waited until morning."

"I thought you ought to know that you are now the Headmistress of Hogwarts."

Sybil covered her mouth to avoid gasping aloud. Where was Dumbledore? What would happen to the school without him? The school and its students were already in grave danger. Sybil stared at Severus, trying to figure out if he agreed with Lucius, but she couldn't put her finger on him. He certainly didn't seem happy about Dumbledore being gone, but he didn't show any protest. As shaky as Sybil was, Minerva looked confident. It was almost like she already knew the bad news. Minerva crossed her arms. "I see," she nodded.

"Yes, I couldn't find you in your office, but Severus was waiting outside your rooms and told me you were on rounds. Making a late-night house call with our rival house?" Lucius asked.

The slight sneer that came briefly across Severus's face was the only sign of emotion he showed. Sybil knew that the two were lovers, but it was clear they didn't want Lucius to know. Sybil didn't bother much with staff gossip, but over the years their relationship had become common knowledge. Personally, she didn't understand it. She didn't have much love for either of them, but she didn't spend her time musing on it. "Professor McGonagall has books of mine that I lent her and have become more of a gift with the amount of time she has kept them. I was taking advantage of her night on duty to get them back."

Lucius rolled his eyes. "Professor McGonagall, I simply thought you ought to be made aware of your charge as soon as possible. Dumbledore has already been escorted off the premises."

"Has he?"

"He hasn't handled the recent events very well; several students have found themselves in the hospital wing, and it seems the chamber of secrets, which he has continued to claim is a myth, is opened. The board and I are most concerned for the well-being of our students, especially the Muggle-borns that are so highly at risk."

Though she had never met Lucius, Sybil knew he was lying about his concern for Muggle-borns. If Draco was half of the bigot his father was, then Sybil shuddered to imagine what Lucius's intentions were. It didn't take having an inner eye to see he cared nothing for the safety of any students besides pure-blooded ones. "I am so very appreciative of your concern for the students," Minerva sneered. As much as she couldn't stand the woman, Sybil found great entertainment in the way she was standing up to Lucius. The woman had balls; Sybil had always respected her for that. She didn't take injustice lying down. Minerva may have not personally respected or understood Divinations, but Sybil had caught her giving detentions to students who said words against her. For that, she had been thankful. "And because you are so concerned, I think it would be best for our Muggle-borns if you stay as far away from this castle as possible."

Severus's eyes widened, and Sybil almost laughed at his reaction to the way Minerva was arguing with Lucius. Lucius smiled. "Ah, Professor McGonagall, I can see the years haven't changed you much." Minerva's hand began to slide into her robes, and Sybil could tell she was reaching for her wand. Instinctively, she put an arm on Minerva's to stop her from drawing her wand and getting herself into trouble. They had lost one Headmaster that evening, and Minerva was notorious for being hot-headed. "I was just leaving." Lucius turned and patted Severus on the back. "Good to see you, Severus. Give Draco my best." Lucius was almost out of sight when he turned around again. "Profes-er, Headmistress," he said sarcastically. "Do know that with such a dangerous situation going on, there is a lot more scrutiny on your position. I'm not afraid to remove another Headmaster." There was a pregnant pause, Minerva breathing heavily. "Good night."

Once the man's footsteps had disappeared, Severus was between Sybil and Minerva, his hand coming to rest on Minerva's back. Sybil couldn't remember ever actually seeing the two touch in any way. Everything she knew about their relationship was rumors. "I'm sorry I couldn't warn you…"

Minerva waved him off. "Stop. I told you I knew this was coming. You couldn't do anything more."

"Mi…Minerva," Sybil stammered, cutting in. "What's going to happen now?"

The new Headmistress sighed, running a hand through her hair which was neatly braided on the side of her head. "We continue trying to mature the Mandrakes and figure out who is trying to open the chamber. Nothing changes."

Severus had slipped an arm around her waist, but otherwise said nothing. "What about Dumbledore?" Sybil asked. Was this temporary? Was he gone forever? It was hard to imagine Hogwarts without the kind old man. He had given her a job, a home, and she cared for him deeply.

"He'll be back," Minerva said with confidence that brought Sybil comfort. "This did not take me by surprise. Albus knew it was coming."

Turning in Severus's hold on her, Minerva looked to him. "We have to finish rounds; I'll be back in a few minutes."

Severus shifted. "I would prefer I accompany you two, in light of recent events."

Minerva opened her mouth to say something to Severus, but quickly shut it and turned back to Sybil. "Sybil, it may be best if we have another person on rounds with us."

It was obvious that as much as she was hiding it, Minerva seemed shaken up about what happened, and the look on Severus's face made it clear he didn't want her alone. It was out of character for them and sort of sweet. Sybil nodded. "I agree. The aura in here has changed since Mr. Malfoy showed up."

"On that, I think we can agree," Minerva muttered.

When they had finished rounds, they passed by Minerva's quarters first, and Sybil bid her goodnight. "Sybil," Minerva said, grabbing her arm. "I know that under these circumstances, you may be, ah, concerned about your position here. It's no secret Albus and I disagree on the value of Divinations in the curriculum." Sybil dropped her head. "But, I also know that this is your home, and that Albus, for whatever reason, continues to value your lessons. Your job is secure as long as I am in charge."

Sybil felt a smile light up her face, and she pushed her hair out of her face, staring at the woman she so often clashed heads with. It was so rare Minerva spoke a good word about her. "Thank you, Minerva," she managed through teary eyes.

Minerva nodded awkwardly. "Yes, well, I figured that may have crossed your mind. Good night, Sybil. Wake me should you need anything."

Feeling a sense of relief wash over her, Sybil made her way down the hall back to her tower. "Getting soft?" she heard Severus ask once she had walked away.

"The staff are shaken enough with everything going on…and she had to hear about Albus from Lucius- not the way I would have preferred."

Sybil turned over her shoulder, seeing through the faint light from Minerva's wand that Severus had pulled her into a hug. It was odd to see the normally two stoic professors embrace. In all the years of working there, she never had. Granted, she stayed away from most gatherings. "You want me to stay?"

Minerva pulled away from him, but her arms remained around his waist. "Do you mind?"

"Let's get inside." The sound of a kiss echoed through the silent hallway as the lumos from her wand extinguished.