"I feel like we're school girls again," Poppy said, pulling her knees to her chest. "I can't remember the last time we were all in one of our bedroom's."
Rolanda laughed. "When's the last time you were in anyone's bedroom, Poppy? That's your issue."
Poppy rolled her eyes, but tried to hide the smile she felt creeping up on her face at the joke. Silence fell over the group of women, and Poppy took in the rain hitting the window panes of the old castle. She loved moments like these in the castle. Looking around, Pomona and Rolanda were sitting in the living room section of Minerva's quarters. She smiled. It truly felt like they were all schoolgirls again.
Minerva came out of the bedroom, her hair up in a bun, dressed in a simple, thin black nightgown. Poppy couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her friend so casual. "Thanks for coming, girls," she said, sitting next to Poppy. She refilled all of their whisky glasses. "How was the first day?"
"The usual with this crowd of first years," Rolanda said. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
Minerva took a sip of her whisky, and Poppy followed behind her. "Nobody in the infirmary today."
"Did any of you see her?" Minerva asked.
"The toad?" Rolanda asked.
"I did," Pomona cut in. "I had to sit next to her at lunch. She asked me about everything and everyone."
"Did any of us come up?" Minerva asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not yet- mostly about Potter and your Gryffindors, though."
"Interesting," Minerva said distastefully.
"And she had a strange interest in Filch," Pomona added.
"Dear, Merlin," Minerva muttered. "That's odd. Well, there is something I'd like to talk to you all about."
"Is this why our usual first day drinks are in your private rooms rather than out somewhere?" Poppy asked. They had all found it odd Minerva had asked them to come over- it was customary the girls went out after the first day. Nobody had questioned her, though; their friend's stress in the last few months was becoming more and more apparent.
"Mm," Minerva said, taking another sip of her whisky. "It's about Severus and I. We have to take extra caution that dear Delores does not catch wind of our relationship. I know over the years, we've become accustomed to relaxing amongst the staff, but it must end."
"What do you think she'd do if she found out?" Poppy asked.
"I don't know," Minerva admitted. Her expression was fraught with concern. "We've been talking about it, and I just fear more for Severus…"
"What is it that he does, Min?" Rolanda asked. "He's always gone, coming back banged up, and we never question it, but…"
Poppy was privy to more information about Severus than the other girls. A few times over the summer, his injuries had escalated beyond what Minerva could handle. One particular evening, Minerva had come flying through the infirmary door, in tears, begging for her help and her secrecy. Poppy never asked, but Severus, heavily medicated, had eventually dropped hints as to his whereabouts with the Dark Lord and more information that Poppy could be sure that Minerva knew. Her and Severus never spoke of the few nights he required her assistance- it seemed to have been an unspoken agreement between them. It was ironic to the mediwitch- she'd once despised the man beyond comprehension, and here she was, treating him at his darkest hours.
"He's a spy," Minerva said flatly. "The Order uses him to get to the Dark Lord. It's an important task he does for Dumbledore, for-,"
"The greater good," Poppy cut in.
"Yes. Severus is integral to the success of Albus's plan, and the closer Umbridge is to him, the closer she is to bringing down the whole Order. Her knowing of our relationship will breed suspicion, aside from her probably distaste for relationships between staff members. We have to keep this quiet."
"You could have just asked us not to say anything in front of her, Min," Rolanda said. "You didn't have to work yourself all up."
Minerva was staring into her whisky glass, swirling the contents. "You're right, Ro. I'm a bit on edge these days."
The doors to her rooms suddenly opened, and Severus stepped in. "Ah, we have company."
"Our annual start of term drink," Minerva said, raising her glass. "Care to join us?"
"I'm going to bed. I'm afraid I'll have to join you ladies another evening." Severus walked around and squeezed Minerva's shoulder before going into her bedroom and closing the door.
"We're never in your rooms, Min. I didn't know you two were that intertwined," Pomona said. "Severus coming into your rooms without an invite"
Minerva blushed. "It's been like this for quite a while. His rooms are so drab, I much prefer it here."
"I never thought I'd say it, but I think I'm going to miss the two of you being so comfortable in front of the staff," Pomona said.
Poppy smiled. "I can't believe I feel the same way."
"I must ask," Minerva said. "And Merlin help me for asking this. But, how did you all figure it out?"
Rolanda and Pomona exchanged glances, and Poppy felt her cheeks redden, still remembering the night the two followed Minerva and Severus back to the castle. "Min- the signs were all there," Rolanda said. "The day you stayed after to help Severus clean up your prank with Peeves…just the two of you."
"Nothing happened after that," Minerva cut in, laughing. "Though, that was quite fun."
"Your brother's funeral," Pomona said. "Filius practically got Severus to admit it."
"What?" Minerva asked, clearly amused by the conversation. "Spill, Pomona."
"Oh now, even I have to admit the day at the Owelry, I softened at the idea of the whole thing," Poppy admitted. She remember watching the way her friend relaxed in Severus's hug- something she had never seen Minerva do in all her years knowing her.
"What happened with Filius?" Minerva asked again. "He's never told me this."
"Severus came to the funeral," Pomona said. "And stood in the back. Filius told Severus we all knew, Severus denied at first, but eventually told Filius not to say a word to us about, I suppose, his feelings. He never said it outright."
"Greasy git," Minerva muttered, a smile on her face. "So that's how that odd duo began. Severus and I…well, quite soon after that incident we well…"
"Gryffindor victory," Rolanda said. "We're aware. You two were staring at each other all night. You were drunk. Pomona and I followed you two back to the castle."
"I disproved, Min," Poppy added, making sure, if Minerva was angry at the imposition, that she knew she had no part of their childish shenanigans.
"He kissed you right in front of the door to your quarters," Pomona said.
"You saw that?" Minerva asked. "You two are worse than I'd imagined."
"It seems you went inside before it turned into anything more," Rolanda shrugged. "You were certainly chipper the next day."
Minerva blushed deeply, finishing off her drink and pouring another. She looked humiliated, but Poppy could tell she was amused by the situation. It was rare to embarrass Minerva McGonagall, but that was something Rolanda was skilled at.
"What happened behind closed doors?" Roland asked.
"Severus is in the other room," Minerva said quietly. "Besides, it's none of your business."
"He's not listening," Pomona cut in.
"I am indeed," came a voice from behind them. Severus was standing in the doorway to her bedroom. "I couldn't sleep with your incessant giggling. I may as well be sleeping in the common room."
"So what happened that night, Severus? Your first night?" Rolanda asked again.
"If I tell you, will you leave?"
Rolanda stood and extended her hand. "Let's shake on it."
"Severus-," Minerva tried to cut in, but Rolanda and Severus were shaking hands.
"I went into Minerva's rooms with her, we continued what we began in the hallway, we had an emotional conversation about feelings, much to my discomfort, and fell asleep. Good night, ladies." It was comical the way that Severus described what was most likely an extremely emotional and vulnerable night for both of them in his normal, drab tone- the same way he described potions to his students."
"So you fucked?" Rolanda asked.
"Yes, Ro," he replied. "You may recall we were both quite late to breakfast the next morning, and if my memory serves me right, Albus noted the buttons on Minerva's blouse were one button off. You're each permitted one question, Roland, you have used yours, and then I will see you tomorrow in the Great Hall for breakfast. Perhaps Minerva and I may relive the experience if you three ever leave."
Minerva blushed, laughing heartily. It was rare to see her this way, especially in the last few weeks. "Why did you never come out and tell us what had happened?" Pomona asked.
"Frankly, embarrassment," Minerva replied.
"I didn't like any of you for quite some time," Severus said truthfully.
"I despised you," Poppy said, raising her glass towards Severus.
She swore a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "What does Dumbledore think?" Poppy asked.
Minerva and Severus suddenly looked uncomfortable, and Poppy regretted the question. She had never meant to make them ill at ease. Severus's face changed slightly, but an obvious anger was running through him. "Nobody knows what Albus thinks anymore," Minerva replied. "He's allowed it this far; I suppose as things change, we will see."
"You've asked all your questions," Severus said. "Out with you."
The girls said their goodnights, but Poppy used Minerva's bathroom before she left. When she came back out, Pomona and Rolanda were gone, and Minerva and Severus had retreated to the bedroom. The door was cracked, and she couldn't see all of them, but enough, and she could still hear them.
"She didn't know what she was asking," Minerva said softly. Poppy felt a rush of regret, figuring it was about her question. She'd not meant to bring up a sore topic. She didn't realize any hostility existed with Dumbledore aside from his recent absence.
"I know," Severus replied. "They don't know."
Poppy could see they were seated on the edge of her four poster bed, Minerva's head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I ruined your evening," he said again. "It was nice to see you smiling."
"Don't go soft on me," Minerva jabbed. "But, yes, it was a nice evening. You ruined nothing."
They sat in silence for a few more moments, and Poppy knew she'd overstayed her welcome, pulling a Rolanda and spying on the two. But, she wanted to make sure her friends were alright, and she, admittedly, had a curiosity about Dumbledore. "Keep your head low, Min," Severus said, breaking the quiet.
"Don't be silly-" she began.
"Min- stop," Severus snapped. "I…Umbridge…"
"I know."
"You don't know," Severus added. "You don't know what…if she's one of them…even with them…I need you to be here at the end of the year."
"I know what they're capable of Severus," she replied.
"But, you don't, Min," he insisted.
"I was almost raped by Igor Karkaroff last term, or have you forgotten?" she asked angrily. Poppy felt her stomach lurch; she had no idea what incident Minerva was referring to. Tears sprang to her eyes; Minerva had never told them any such incident had occurred. "This is my home, these are my children. They will stay safe as long as I'm here, and I know what we're up against." Severus was silent, but Poppy could hear him sniffle, and she wondered if he too was crying at the incident Minerva had mentioned. "But, do you truly think she's one of them?"
"I don't know," he said truthfully. "Infiltrating Hogwarts…I think this is the Ministry's way of avoiding conflict, but I do know her hate runs deep. I don't know if it runs deep enough that she is one of them. I don't think she is… but there are so many secrets…"
"Let's get some sleep, hm?" Minerva said softly.
"I wasn't lying about reliving that evening," Severus said slowly. Poppy felt herself blush. "I…I need you. I need this."
"Close the door," Minerva replied, and Poppy quietly retreated.