Crumbling Foundations

[Lady Lavendar]

Wow! Great story! Hope to see a update soon! This keeps getting better and better! Poor Min though! That Allison lady should rot in a dark dark cave where no one can find her!

LL

[ginger newts]

Uh oh, now the kids are getting involved. Allison better look out. I can't' wait to see what they all do to her, and I do hope all of this forces something between Albus and Minerva.

[Mellypoo622]

I'm glad Albus realized that Allison may have done it! Now with Harry and Co. involved I have a feeling Allison will not want to be at Hogwarts much longer! Great chapter!

[Jessabelle]

ohhhhh you stop at the worst spots .. lol .. very very good tho! .. please do post again soon!

[tabbylvr77]

Oh that Alisson better rot in Hades after this!! Poor Min, ;(!
UPDATE ASAP!!!!

Rae

[AshleyMcGonagall]

This is really good!!! UPDATE!!!

[tayryn]

okay... i missed a couple chapters... and what fabulous chapters they were!

i love how you wrote the kids in there... all so very concerned for Minerva... that was a wonderful touch!!

am still rooting for Allison to smacked, then hexed!!!

[QuillofMinerva]

Chapter Nine:

“Allison!” Dumbledore yelled, as he knocked on the door that lead to the rooms of Allison Jackson. He waited a while before he knocked again. He heard movement from the other side of the door just seconds before the door was opened to reveal a very tired Allison.

“Hello Albus... is something wrong?” she asked gently just before Albus barged past her and into her room, not bothering to ask for entrance.

“Yes there is as a matter of fact... Minerva McGonagall, my friend and Deputy, was attacked last night by a knife.” Allison’s face paled.

“Yes I know, Albus, Severus told me about an hour ago. Simply horrific. I had no idea Minerva would have enemies like that.” Albus sat down on the end of her bed and glared at her.

“Allison, the knife I gave you years ago, do you still have it?” That got her.

She just stood there looking at him not yet knowing what to say. “Ummm yes, why?”

Albus smiled slightly. “Took you a long time to answer, Allison... do you remember the dreams I used to have when someone was in trouble?”

Allison’s face went so pale she looked almost dead. She had forgotten all about his blasted clairvoyant dreams. She was in trouble now, why hadn’t she thought this plan through properly?

“Yes Albus I remember.” She smiled at him.

“Yes... well, you see I saw the attack on Minerva and I saw something that shocked me a little bit, I saw your knife, Allison. Now I’m not accusing you but the evidence is all pointing to you at the moment. You have been warned, Allison,” Dumbledore muttered darkly before turning and leaving.

Allison threw herself on her bed and breathed in deeply. As soon as McGonagall woke up she would tell Dumbledore it was her. She would be put in Azkaban! She would have to stop her, she would have to shut the god forsaken mouth of hers for good. Why had she bothered with the knife in the first place? Just one little spell and she’d be gone. Allison smiled to herself. Well, that would shut her up for good, wouldn’t it? Why hadn’t she just done it the easy way in the first place?

Harry pushed open the double doors that led to the hospital wing. Ron and Hermione were close behind him as he stepped into the wing.

"Harry, do you think we should really be doing this?" asked Hermione.

Harry didn’t take any notice of Hermione as he caught sight of Hagrid crouching over a bed at the far end of the room. Harry walked over to the groundskeeper and placed his hand gently on Hagrid’s large shoulder. Hagrid jumped slightly and turned his head around to face the trio.

"Harry!" said Hagrid, who wasn’t that surprised to see them there but asked them anyway, "What yer all doin ere?"

"Is it true, Hagrid?" asked Hermione.

"Aye," replied Hagrid sadly as he turned his head back around and looked down at the pale sleeping form of Minerva McGonagall. "Take a look for yerselves!"

The trio stepped forward and all gasped loudly when they saw that Neville had been telling the truth. Their head of house was laying motionless on the hospital bed with the covers tucked tightly around her, her black hair that was usually in a tight bun was sprawled out on the pillow. She was covered in bandages and they could make out deep knife wounds on her body. Harry gingerly reached out and touched her hand, he carefully picked her hand up and held it in his own warm hand as he stared at her.

"Will she be okay, Hagrid?" he asked.

Hagrid shrugged his shoulders as he didn’t have an answer for them, he was just as much in the dark as they were. He had seen the look in Madam Pomfrey’s eyes and it didn’t look promising. Hermione and Ron sat down beside Hagrid, their eyes locked on the sleeping professor.

"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Ron. "Who would do such a thing?"

"Professor Dumbledore has some suspicions," answered Hagrid, "this shouldn’t have happened to her. She has never done anything to anyone, she has always done the best for her students."

The four of them sat in silence around the bed, all in deep thought about who could have done this to the professor.

Albus Dumbledore made his way quickly along the corridor, he wanted to get back to Minerva in case she woke up. He was so angry and so filled with worry about the whole situation. The guilty look in Allison’s eyes had given her away and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that she had attacked Minerva, but it was proving it. He knew that Allison would try to finish Minerva off and he was going to be there to prevent it. He would wear his invisibility cloak all night as he sat with Minerva, he was not going to let Minerva die, but he would need help.

He walked into the hospital wing and saw that Minerva was surrounded by three of her faithful lions, he couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

"I should have known you three would be here!" Albus said softly as he approached them.

"Professor Dumbledore, Sir," replied Hagrid rising to his feet, "Do yer know who attacked her?"

"I do," answered Albus. "Hagrid, can you get Professor Snape for me please and thank you for watching over her till my return."

"Right yer are, Professor," said Hagrid as he glanced at Minerva before going off to find Snape.

Albus perched on the side of the bed and held Minerva’s hand, he gently caressed it with his thumb.

"Professor!" said Harry. "Is Professor Jackson behind this?"

Albus looked up at Harry, his blue eyes widened in shock. "What makes you think that, Harry?" he questioned.

"Professor Jackson was always looking at her funny and it was common knowledge around the school that the two didn’t get on," answered Harry.

"I can’t really go into detail with you," said Albus looking down at the three expectant faces looking back at him. "I will tell Professor McGonagall that you have visited her but I must ask you to return to your beds and please don’t do anything stupid."

Harry nodded and let go of Minerva’s hand. The trio wished her well before making their way back to their warm beds in Gryffindor tower, they however had no intention of returning to bed.



TBC....

[tayryn]

ooooh... took Albus long enough to start believing Minerva about the witch!

another fine update! i do like the added touch of the kids visiting Minerva... that was sweet.

looking forward to more!

[Alesia]

Everyone look out the Trio's out of bed and running amuck. Alisoun is definately a goner.

[Miss Q]

Finally has Albus seen the light.... took him long enough... but it's an absolutely fabulous story!! Can't wait to read the rest!!!

M

[tabbylvr77]

Harry gingerly reached out and touched her hand, he carefully picked her hand up and held it in his own warm hand as he stared at her.

This sentence made me smile! I love that he cares about her very much! I simply cannot wait till the next chapter!! Hurry please!! Great job, btw!!

Rae

[LadyJolly]

Finally he does something but what exactly will he do anyways great chapter and post more soon.

Lady Jolly

[JKMcGonagall]

You really expect that the trio is going to do what Professor Dumbledore told them to do. They'll be sticking their noses in it for the rest of the night, thank goodness.

Well, Albus is finally back on the right track with Min. Allison is going to get it. Can they bury her in a red ant bed up to her neck (evil laugh goes here).

Update soon.

Kay

[Jessabelle]

oh you updated!!! YAAA! i cant wait to hear more .. please update soon!

[Jessabelle]

please please please update!

[AshleyMcGonagall]

PLEASE PLEASE!!! UPDATE!!!! PLEASE!!!!!

[Lady Lavendar]

PLease update soon!

LL

[QuillofMinerva]

Chapter10

Albus made sure that he was alone before he started to talk to Minerva, he hoped that she could hear him and understand the words he was saying.

"Minerva!" he began. "I am so sorry that I did not listen to your concerns about Allison, if I had you wouldn’t be lying here like this and I wouldn’t be so concerned about losing you. I feel terrible about this and I will make it up to you. You mean more to me than you know, darling Minerva, and I have been such a fool."

He lent forward and kissed her forehead before running a long finger over her cheek bones. "I love you!"

The sound of someone clearing their throat made Albus turn around.

"Ah Severus, thank you for coming!" Albus greeted the younger wizard with a small smile "I have a plan."

“Interesting,” Snape smirked, his bored voice strangely enthusiastic. He stood up slowly, his long billowing robes flowing as he walked to the door. He turned around and faced Albus just before he left.
“See you tonight, Headmaster. Oh and do tell McGonagall what you said to her earlier, I’m sure she would appreciate it.” He gave one of his rare smiles and left the room before Dumbledore could question him.

The night came extremely slowly, it seemed to take years for the sun to set and even longer for the hospital wing to empty. But eventually the moon was high in the sky, the ward deserted and it was just Albus, Minerva and Severus left. Albus threw Snape one of his old invisibility cloaks.

“Put it on, then…” he smiled.

“And then what?” Snape growled, he did have his own cloak.

“We wait.” Albus grinned as his body was slowly taken into the land of invisibility. They didn’t have to wait for long, no sooner had they turned invisible the sound of a woman’s heels clicked across the ‘empty’ hospital wing. There was no debate about it; it was definitely Allison.

Even in the dark her bottle blond hair stood out for miles. She walked over to the form of Minerva and smiled gruesomely. Allison looked around to make sure no one was near; the coast was clear. She turned back to Minerva and pulled out her wand. She lent over Minerva and smirked again.

“You, my pretty little bitch, have caused a lot more trouble then you’re worth, darling. First you steal my husband with your dim-witted I’m so young and innocent take me now glances. I know you want him and he wants you too. Even though he is so much older than you. Oh imagine what the press would say? Then of course when I came back for the dark lord, yes that’s right, Minerva, you managed to get something right for once. You were here, weren’t you, with Dumbledore right in your pocket. And you got in my way so many times, didn’t you! Even when I tried to kill you, you still live! Like a bloody cockroach! Well not anymore I’m not taking another day of this. I’m doing what I should have done a long time ago and now there is no-one to save you,” she laughed evilly.

‘WHAT WAS HE WAITING FOR!’ Snape groaned to himself. She was about to attack and he was just sitting there. He couldn’t wait any longer! Any longer and she would be dead! He had never really liked McGonagall but he didn’t want to see her dead. He waited for one second only and found he couldn’t take it anymore. With the stealth of a leopard he pounced onto Allison, knocking her wand out of her hand and losing the cloak at the same time. He struggled with her as she kicked and hissed at him. Severus managed to pin her down with his hands and knees even though her long fingernails scratched violently at him. Albus quickly came out of his trance and picked up Allison’s wand.

“GET OFF ME!” Allison screamed at the top her voice. “SHE’S DEAD. YOU CAN STOP ME, IT WON’T HELP! SHE’S MESSED WITH HIS PLANS ONE TO MANY TIMES! HE WON’T STAND FOR IT. SHE’S AS GOOD AS DEAD!”

Albus studied Allison’s wand closely. “Petrificus Totalus,” he muttered softly, watching as Allison’s body froze. Her eyes darted from him to Severus, a look of terror screaming out of her eyes.

“You hesitated,” Snape gasped as he climbed of Allison, his breathing quick and uncontrollable.

“I know, Severus,” he sighed, looking at Minerva. “Everything Minerva said was true and I just told her off for telling the truth,” he whimpered softly, sinking into a chair. “No wonder she avoided me.”

“Headmaster... she’ll forgive you,” Snape whispered, sinking into a chair also.

“Maybe. I think you should go get the Order now, Severus,” Albus answered him, self-pity taking over.

A silky moan from the nearest bed interrupted their thoughts. Albus leaned over and watched as Minerva opened her bright eyes. Without knowing, Albus found himself slipping his hand onto her cheek, she didn’t move.

“Albus... Where am I?” she asked, her face screwing up in deep confusion.

TBC ...

[Alesia]

Interesting way to have Allison get caught. I would have never thought that Albus would freeze when confronted with a mistake of his but it is a very natural human reaction, and therefore not something we think about coming from Albus - nicely done!

And of course she is going to forgive you, you barmy old coot!

[Jaya]

I agree... very nice touch to have Snape be the 'rescuer'. Poor Albus... he feels so bad... but Minerva will forgive him and make him feel all better... right?

Jaya ;D

[Jessabelle]

i too like that snape was the one that stopped allison >> good post! .. seemed kinda short though .. post again soon!

[Orion's Guard]

Cool, looks good. I'm not sure if I posted something else for this story, but I really like it. I see it coming to an ending soon, unless another climax is to grace our precence.

[tayryn]

ooooh... this was a nice update! a very nice update. i think it was a cruel place to stop... but it was a very nice update.

i like that Snape was the one who tackled the witch... but i still want to see Minerva haul off and belt her!!

looking forward to more!

[Miss Q]

Wonderful! Another chapter! And Albus started to act upon his feelings!! But I think he'll have to act quicker or it will take even longer before she forgive him! I hope she WILL forgive him!!!!!!

M

[AshleyMcGonagall]

GREAT CHAPTER!!!! cant wait for more!!!

[Lady Lavendar]

Nice update! Can't wait for more!

LL

[ginger newts]

Oops, I missed a couple of chapters. Anyway...I'm so glad Albus knows the truth and that Allison has been caught. I hope he makes that confession again while Minerva is awake and I can't wait to see where this goes from here.

[QuillofMinerva]

Chapter 11:

Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall walked into the Ministry of Magic. Minerva leaned heavily on Albus as they walked as she refused to use a walking stick today. They silently made their way over to the lift and stepped in, not a word was passed between them till they reached the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They stepped out of the lift and stood in a empty corridor which was dim and unwelcoming.

"Minerva, are you sure you want to do this?" Albus asked her softly.

"I want to see what happens to her in person, Albus," she answered him with a dim expression.

Albus nodded and walked over to the clerk behind the desk.

"We have come to the trial of Allison Jackson!" he told the clerk.

Albus watched as the clerk scanned the thick piece of parchment in front of her.

"Courtroom 10, Professor," answered the clerk a moment later.

Albus wasn’t surprised at the choice of courtroom as it had a history with these types of cases. Albus walked back to Minerva, he offered her his arm and they walked in silence again till they reached a dark, grimy door which had a large heavy iron lock on it. The door swung open as they approached and they walked into a dark room that was dimly lit by elaborate torches. There were benches on either side of the walk way and then high benches at the end of the room. In the middle of the room facing the higher benches was a chair that had chains surrounding it. Minerva gazed up at the high benches and saw about forty witches and wizards dressed in plum-coloured robes with an elaborately silver W woven in the material on the left side of the robes. They were looking all solemn and terribly important. Minerva sighed to herself, she had always hated coming here. Albus lead Minerva over to a nearby bench and they sat down close together, without even thinking about it they locked hands and waited for Allison to be brought in.

They didn’t have to wait long because the doors to their right swung open and Allison was brought in by two Dementors. She looked deathly pale and thin but they did not pity her for what she had done. The Dementors stood behind her as she sat down in the chair facing the members of Wizengamot, the chains flew around her wrists, ankles and waist, shackling her to the chair. She had a determined look in her face as she turned slightly and looked at Albus.

"I call this court in session!" boomed Cornelius Fudge’s voice around the room. "Are you Allison Hesta Jackson?"

"I am she!" answered Allison clearly.

"Do you understand the charges against you?" asked Fudge.

"I do!" replied Allison. "However they are most unfounded!"

"That is for the court to decided, Ms Jackson," said Fudge looking down at her. "We are your interrogators, Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic, and Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. You are charged that on the 15th of March this year, you tried to kill Professor Minerva Aurora McGonagall. How do you plea?"

"Guilty!" answered Allison with a twisted smile.

Minerva instinctively squeezed Albus’s hand and shook her head. They sat listening to the courtroom banter for an hour before Allison took the stand. There had already been a hearing where Albus and Minerva had given their statements so they wouldn’t be called up to speak in this one.

Allison looked directly at Minerva as she spoke, venom spouting out of her mouth.

"She was in our way," began Allison "and so she had to be gotten rid of. How was I supposed to know she had nine lives! Lord Voldemort will have his revenge no matter what you do to me! She deserved what she got, my only regret is that she didn’t die a painful death."

"Minerva," whispered Albus, "do you really want to hear this?"

"Ssshhh Albus," she replied looking at him, "let her say what she has to, it means nothing to me!"

"Did she tell you that she caused my marriage to spilt up?" growled Allison.

"Your past marriage to Albus Dumbledore is not relevant in this case," spoke Fudge from the bench.

"What if I told you about a scandal involving a professor and a student!" she replied "Surely that would have to be brought to a hearing."

"You are obviously trying to discredit two highly respected members of the wizarding community to ease the blame on yourself, Ms Jackson," said Bones, looking down at Allison with a hint of disgust in her pale grey eyes.

"What I tell you is true!" screamed Allison.

"We do not tend to take the word of known liars," added Fudge, "we have reached a sentence for you."

"YOU WILL ALL DIE WHEN VOLDEMORT COMES FOR YOU!" screamed Allison.

"You will be taken to Azkaban where you will await the Dementor’s Kiss!" announced Fudge, taking no notice of the screaming from the floor.

"DEATH IS JUST ANOTHER JOURNEY!" yelled Allison as she was dragged from the chair. "I HAVE SERVED MY LORD WELL AND I WILL CONTINUE TO MY DEATH!"

Minerva and Albus sat in silence as the members of Wizengamot left the courtroom. Albus gingerly brought an arm around her shoulder and to his surprise she turned and snuggled into his arms. Albus wrapped both arms around her and held her close, they sat wrapped in each other’s arms for some time.

"Can we go home?" asked Minerva as she looked up at him.

"Of course!" answered Albus.

They made their way out of the Ministry of Magic and took a private portkey back to Hogwarts. They made their way to the Dumbledore’s office where they sat down together and looked into the roaring fire.

"Albus?" asked Minerva "Severus asked me a rather curious question the other day."

"What was it?" he questioned.

"He asked me if you had told me yet," she answered, "and when I asked him what in the name of Merlin he was talking about, he wouldn’t give me an answer."

"Oh!" replied Albus.

"Are you going to tell me what he was going on about!" she asked and Albus knew she wanted an answer from him.

"Minerva," he began as he summoned all of his Gryffindor courage up, "we have been friends for such a long time now and I have lied to you for some years!"

"Lied? I don’t understand," said Minerva with worry evident on her delicate face.

"Let me finish," replied Albus taking hold of her hands. "I have lied to myself as well as you, lied about just wanting to be your friend when I have wanted to be so much more. While Allison was here, it was terrible when we were not speaking. I felt as though I was only half a person without you by my side. You stole my heart years ago, Minerva, and Allison knew that. When she attacked you, I cursed myself for not letting you know my feelings and I didn’t want to lose you, Minerva. I was so scared that I would lose you!"

"What are you saying, Albus?" asked Minerva with a small smile.

"Minerva Aurora McGonagall, I love you!" he told her and held his breath as he waited for her to answer.

To his shock, tears welled up in Minerva’s emerald green eyes and she cried. Albus stared at her with shock before trying to comfort her, he hadn’t known his words would cause her so much distress.


"Minerva," he whispered "I am so sorry for revealing this. I have lost your friendship now."

Minerva pulled away and brought her hands to his face. For one brief moment Albus thought she was going to strike him but that thought was soon gone from his mind as she brushed her lips gently against his. The kiss was soft and gentle but they were both aware of the feelings it had creating within their bodies. Minerva pressed her body against his while Albus brought his arms around her waist and held her close as the kiss deepened. Albus felt Minerva wince and quickly pulled away.

"What’s the matter?" he asked with concern.

"I’m still a little sore!" admitted Minerva.

"Should I get Poppy?" he asked.

"No, no," replied Minerva, "no need to get her. I am just fine where I am!"

"Minerva, what was that?" carried on Albus.

"I believe, my dear Albus," she answered dryly, "that was what is called a kiss!"

"I know that," laughed Albus, "but what did it mean? You were crying and then the kiss."

"I was crying because I love you too," she told him. "You too stole my heart and I want to be with you, Albus."

"Oh dearest Minerva," exclaimed Albus before pressing a tender kiss on her forehead, "then we shall be together, my love."

"Let’s start from tonight," she replied. "I’m terribly tired and I wish to spend the night in your arms, if that is all right."

Albus nodded and helped her to her feet, their hands locked together as Albus led her to his master bedroom. Minerva went to the bathroom and transfigured her robes into a long satin nightgown. When she came out of the bathroom, Albus was dressed in a pair of striped pyjamas and had folded down the covers on the bed. Minerva slipped under the covers and waited for Albus to join her, which he did moments later. Minerva laid her head on his chest and draped an arm over his stomach while Albus held her tightly and safely in his arms. He planted soft kisses on the top of her head and took in the scent radiating off her. He finally had the woman of his dreams in his arms and they had their future to look forward to. Minerva tipped her head upwards and Albus leant forward. They shared a sweet tender kiss before whispering the three magic words, ‘I love you’. They drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms and they dreamt of each other.


The end!

[tayryn]

aaawww... that was a sweet way to end it!

Alison got what she deserved... although, i have to say that i'm disappointed that Minerva wasn't able to slug her! lol that would have been beautiful.

this was a nice story!

i love the way Minerva told Albus that she wanted to sleep in his arms... quite lovely!!