"Thank you," Malcolm said to the nurse who led him to the door to his sister's hospital room. He stared at the door for a few moments before entering, unable to bring himself to open the door. He'd never once thought that Minerva, the brave one and the oldest of the three siblings, would be laid up in St. Mungo's. Tears had barely stopped flowing since he'd gotten word of the news a few days before. It was all too similar to the pain he felt at Robert's death almost two decades before. Minerva couldn't be next. He leaned against the door, taking a deep, shaky breath before opening the door.

When he entered the white room, he was surprised to see a dark man sitting at his sister's bedside. Malcolm reached in and pulled his wand out, unsure who the man dressed in all black, with long black hair was. "Who are you?" Malcom asked, clearly shocking the man's attention. The man whipped around, meeting his eyes with intimidating, dark eyes. Malcolm lifted his wand, not going to let this stranger near his sister. "Get out." These days, one could never be too careful.

The man stood slowly, pulling his wand out as well. "You're not coming anywhere near her."

"I'm her family," Malcolm snapped.

"Malcom?" the other man asked, this time less intense. He lowered his wand.

Malcolm was confused, not lowering his wand. He was trying to remain strong while also keeping himself composed as he saw his sister's pale body lying in front of him. It took all of his willpower to not let all of his attention go to Minerva. "How do you know who I am?"

The man tucked his wand into his pocket. "I'm…we're…lovers."

Malcolm lowered his wand, but didn't yet put it away. He was trying to process the idea of his 70 year old sister having a lover that looked no younger than 40. It wasn't believable. Minerva was married to her work, and she'd never mentioned a word to him about having a lover. When she was younger, he was sure she'd had a few lovers here and there, but none that would have visited her in a hospital, let alone a man thirty years younger than her. "I…who are you?"

"Severus Snape. I'm the Potion's Professor at Hogwarts."

She'd mentioned Severus being a friend, but never anything more. Malcolm put his wand away. The man's awkwardness, though unbelievable, was genuine. Malcolm walked towards the bed, feeling at ease to take in what was going on with his sister. He looked down at her lying on the bed, her black hair pulled back from her cheeks. She was pale; and she looked thinner than he'd ever seen her. It had only been since Christmas that he'd seen her, but she looked much smaller. Perhaps the sweater she'd been wearing had bulked her up. Tears sprang to his eyes as he saw her abdomen was wrapped heavily, some blood still visible from the layers beneath. Poppy had told him that it had been four stunners- a ridiculous amount of force on such a small woman. Anger and sadness flooded him all at once, and he couldn't keep staring at her body, slamming his fist into the wall behind him. He leaned against his hand, letting the tears fall.

"I can go."

"No," Malcolm said, turning back to face the other man. "Can you tell me…more?"

"Excuse me?"

"About you two."

"It's not…"

"You're here, aren't you?" Malcolm asked, wanting to know more about his last sibling's life. He had felt a lot of guilt and regret over the last few days, realizing he only saw Minerva a few times a year. Coming face to face with a part of her life he knew nothing about confirmed his ongoing realization that they were not as close as he thought. "Sit down."

Severus looked uncomfortable, but he did as Malcolm asked. "What is it that you want?"

"I…" Malcolm took a shaky breath. "I don't know a thing about my sister."

"She comes every holiday."

"But, that's it. We're often distracted with the holidays, dinner, the kids…I…I don't know her. How long have you been involved?"

"A little over 15 years." Malcolm felt like someone had punched him in the stomach.

"What?"

"I said a little over 15 years." He noticed Severus's eyes kept moving to his sister, worry present in them.

"How did I not know?"

"We've never advertised it."

"Does anyone know?"

"Yes. But, it's an increasing risk."

"A risk?"

"We both have roles to play in this war."

"Are you putting her at risk?"

"Minerva is a grown witch."

Malcolm tried not to grow angry with the man. "I'm sorry." They sat in silence for a long time, until Malcolm spoke up again. He wanted to know more. "Did you see what happened?"

"No."

"How did you find out?"

"I overheard students in the hallway," he replied, his voice beginning to break its uneasy steadiness. "An atrocious way to find this out."

"I'm sorry," Malcolm said, seeing the pain in his eyes.

"I warned her…I tried to tell her to stop…" Malcolm let the man talk, surprised that he was volunteering information. "I'm sorry," he said, looking Malcolm in the eye.

"If I know my sister, I know it's not your fault," Malcolm said, chuckling slightly. He knew that Minerva was not one to be held back. "Poppy said she was defending someone."

"Always is," Severus added.

"You care for her," Malcolm noted.

"I do." Severus looked away and took Minerva's hand.

Malcolm ran a hand through his thinning hair, trying to grapple with the fact that his sister had hidden a whole life from him all these years. "Why didn't she tell me? Or Poppy when she told me what happened?"

"Outside of Hogwarts our relationship almost ceases to exist. It wouldn't be anywhere else."

"What do you…is it just sex?" Severus shot him a look that could kill. "I…well, if it was something more I'd like to know."

"It's more than sex," Severua muttered. "You think I'd use a woman like her simply to get off?"

"I just can't begin to understand."

"Maybe she didnt want you to know. Maybe you're not as close as you thought."

Malcolm was hurt, but the man wasnt wrong. "Did she ever mention me?"

"Yes. She loves her family." Severus motioned to her lying in the bed. "She loves her school too."

"It always seemed Hogwarts was more her family than we were."

"It's her life. You can see she'd give her own for it."

As much as he wanted to be proud of his fearless sister, Malcolm felt anger at her. Nothing, no job, was worth dying over. He wasn't going to lose his sister to her job. But, it seemed, his opinion didn't matter. It never did with Minerva. "I wish she wouldn't."

"On that it seems we can agree." Malcolm was surprised by his response.

"You don't feel the same?"

"Absolutely not. I've been telling her for months that her Gryffindor valiance was not worth her life." Severus sighed. "I was afraid this would happen."

Silence again. Malcolm watched as the man ran his fingers across Minerva's hand. Love was in his eyes; that much was obvious. "Severus?" His sisters lover looked up. "I care for her very much." Severus nodded. "I'd like to be closer to her. Would you help?"

Before Severus could reply, Malcolm saw her eyes begin to open and he felt more tears spring to his eyes. Severus let go of her hand, and they both stared at her. Minerva's eyes opened again, and she attempted to sit up. Severus jumped up from his seat, assisting her as she sat up. "Min," he said softly, brushing her hair back. "Can you hear us?"

"I can," she croaked, sounding weaker than Malcolm had ever heard her.

Relief washed over him at seeing her awake. "Oh, Minerva," he said. "I'm here."

Minerva looked between them, and Malcolm could tell that she was confused by both of their presence. "Severus? Malcolm?"

"We're both here, dear," Malcolm said.

Severus was crying, tears streaming down his face. "We're here, Min." He let his head fall to her chest, and Malcolm felt his own chest tighten at the care he had for her. At least she was in good hands.

"How are you both here?" she asked, rubbing her head. She looked down at her stomach, wincing. "What in the bloody hell happened?"

Malcolm looked to Severus, hoping for a better explanation than Poppy had given in her owl. "Umbridge," Severus said. "You were outside and got in the middle of a dispute between her and Hagrid."

"She did this?" Minerva asked, motioning to her abdomen.

"She wasn't brave enough to do it herself. Four stunning spells."

"Dear Merlin," Minerva muttered. "I'm going to kill that woman."

"I think you should focus on recovery," Malcolm cut in, not about to let her return to Hogwarts. Minerva may have been the oldest, but she'd always been the only girl. It gave Malcolm a protective streak, especially with Robert gone.

"Thank you for being here, Malcolm. How in the world did you find out?"

"Poppy," he replied. She nodded and smiled.

"I suppose I gave everyone a heart attack?"

Severus sighed deeply. "I…I told you this was going to happen."

"No time for a lecture," she replied, more in her usual tone. Malcolm stared at her for a long few moments. His initial reaction was to ask, to beg, Minerva to come stay with him at least through the summer. He would make sure she was well cared for, safe, and recovering. But, deep down, he knew, like their mother, Minerva couldn't be tied down. Malcolm would be at ease, but Minerva would never be happy. He let out a long sigh, realizing he would sooner lose his sister to the war than she would ever agree to safety with him. It was something hard to accept, but he knew if he loved her, he had to. It hurt. It hurt after losing Robert, the thought of losing her. But, as he looked at her wrapped up, barely having escaped death, he tried to come to terms, after all these years, of who Minerva was. Stubborn. Unmoving. Loyal.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

She smiled and reached for his hand. "Nothing, dear. Perhaps another visit while I'm here. It's awfully nice to see you. It would keep me company. Severus can't keep coming here "

Malcolm nodded. "I should leave you two," he said. He leaned down and kissed Minerva's forehead, promising her he'd be back. He left the two alone, but couldn't bring himself to leave. He stood behind the sheet, not exiting the room, and tried to gain an understanding of the relationship he'd never known a thing about.

When Malcolm was gone, Severus had leaned down to rest his head on her chest. "Min…"

She stroked his hair. "I'm sorry for scaring you."

"I can't…" Sobs escaped the man. "I am trying to block all the memories but the sight of you that night keeps playing over and over again no matter how far I bury it."

"You must block them. I'm fine, Severus. You see now."

"I…I thought you were going to die," he sobbed.

"I'm okay now," she said soothingly. "I'm not leaving." Severus just cried into her chest for a long few moments. Malcolm felt guilty for watching such a tender moment, but he had to know what was going on with his sister. Minerva was holding him, something ironic as she had the bandaged wounds. "You thought I was going to let that toad kill me?"

Severus chuckled slightly, sitting up and wiping his eyes. "Min…"

"How are my students?"

"Shaken," Severus replied.

"Did they see?"

"Some did."

"Fuck," Minerva spat. Her concern for her students just solidified her commitment to her work. "How did you find out?" Severus didn't seem phased by her preoccupation with the students.

"I heard them in the hall," he replied. "I went to the infirmary as soon as I heard. Filius found me on the way and went with me. He stayed with me most of the night."

"You can't keep coming here," she said, sounding disappointed.

"I know. But I had to see you wake up."

"Who's covering my classes?"

"Albus is learning to be a teacher again. A short lived appearance I'm sure." Venom was in Severus's voice.

Silence fell between them. "You can see me when I return. I hope to Merlin I'm out of here in the next few days."

"You need rest."

"I know what I need," she said impatiently. "I don't need to be laid up here."

Severus sighed, and Malcolm felt the frustrations at her stubbornness too. "Can I stay here for a while before I leave?" he asked.

She smiled. "Yes." Severus took her hand and Malcolm saw him lean back in his chair, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "Are you alright?" Minerva asked.

"I told you I wouldn't be able to do this," Severus replied.

"I know you did. Did the toad find out?"

"No. Poppy and Filius made sure. My reaction was less than subtle."

Minerva chuckled. "You have to be careful."

"I know. But, I…you're special."

"Don't go soft on me now."

"You did that to me a long time ago."

"It's odd, you know."

"What is?"

"You meeting Malcolm," Minerva said. Malcolm's attention peaked at his name. "I never thought our lives would become this intertwined."

"They weren't supposed to be," Severus commented. "I recall you saying that we will never be 'taking each other home to meet the family.'"

"I know. We let our guards slip, huh?" She laughed, but he could hear she was in pain.

"We did indeed."

"I never thought I would," Minerva mused. They just sat talking, holding hands. It was sweet. Malcolm was happy to see her happy. He had never seen her in a relationship like this, so it was off putting, but nice. "We have to be careful, Severus. Now more than ever. It's becoming…well, I think our fantasy is slowly being chipped away." Severus nodded, but was silent. "Do you think we should continue this?"

"Minerva, I don't have anything else…Please."

"I don't want to end things either," she said, tears streaming down her face. "I just thought I'd ask. One of us is going to get killed."

"We're going to get killed anyway," he replied, harshly.

She laughed. "I suppose you're right. As dark as the thought is; I suppose you're right."

"You need rest," he said.
"I'm fine."

"I need you to come back. You need rest."

"I just woke up from what was apparently a very long rest." Minerva tried to sit up, but Malcolm saw her wince in pain. "Damn that woman. Now you know how I've been feeling the last year- seeing you all kinds of mangled."

"That's part of my job; this is not."

"It should not be part of yours," she said darkly.

"Thank Albus," he snorted.

"Has he come while I've been unconscious?"

"No."

Minerva made an odd sound between a snort and a sigh. "All these years of friendship…perhaps he can't face what has happened in his absence…"

"Don't make an excuse," Severus replied.

"I'm not. I'm hurt, frankly."

"I have yet to see him. I'll kill him if I do." Silence again fell between them. "I don't want to leave," he said so quietly Malcolm almost couldn't hear him.

"I don't want you to go either. But, we must be smart."

"Look where that's gotten us."

"Let's go through this year in one piece," Minerva suggested. "You should go, Severus."

"I'll ring the nurse when I leave." Malcolm knew that was his cue to go. He shuffled his way back through the hospital. When he returned home that night, he told his wife about Minerva's relationship. He'd grown angrier as the day went on- unable to understand why she didn't tell him. His wife reminded him it was this anger that was why she wouldn't have told him.

"What would you have said if your 60 year old sister had taken a lover half her age and she wasn't on the verge of death?" his wife had asked. The message had come across. Trying to push aside his judgment, Malcolm instead focused on a hopefully renewed relationship with his sister. She was in love, and hell, he was glad her nights in the dark castle weren't spent in solidarity. They'd always worried about that with Minerva. Someone was keeping her bed warm, and he was happy for her.