Summary-Minerva is on the verge of commiting suicide. How will the golden trio stop her, and when will they have time to do it what with Umbridge's return?

Missing

Please, Please forgive me,

but I won't be home again.

Maybe someday you'll look up,

and barely concious you'll say to no one...

Isn't something missing?

Minerva had been pondering whether on not to say goodbye to it all, and her thoughts seemed to linger on four people. Albus, the one she loved, the one who would not stand for her to kill herself, Harry, the brave one who would have proudly given his life for hers the night she was stunned, the savior of light, Hermione, her quizical student, the one with endless questions, and Ron, the last of the Weasley boys, the standing comic of Gryffindor tower, and the keeper. They would all be horrified if she actually did this. She would have doubts up till the moment she jumped, fired, or cursed herself. How could she make them understand? She had no family to live for, no real friends besides Albus, and a determination to boot. Surely the almighty Severus Snape wouldn't notice her perminant absence, and yet he would say that she had given up on taming the lions she was so proud of. The whole of Slytherin house would mark it as Independance Day surely.

You won't cry for my absence I know,

You forgot me long ago.

Am I that unimportant?

Am I so insignificant?

Isn't something missing?

Isn't someone missing me?

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been in school for a couple months now, and the torture had begun again. Umbridge had returned to school to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, and old habits die hard, well at least for her. She had gone back to assigning detentions to anyone who opposed her, and she was always keeping an eye on Dumbledore's most loyal colleagues. Minerva was her main target. She had began to look thinner than usual, and when Dolores looked her way, Minerva's face would be very pale. Harry couldn't get over the fact that Umbridge had ordered the attack on McGonagall last year, and Dumbledore had invited her back with open arms. Thus that brought Minerva to where she stood tonight.

Even though I'm the sacrifice,

You won't try for me, not now.

Though I'd die to know you love me,

I'm all alone.

Isn't someone missing me?

Umbridge had gladly accepted the post and was back on her throne by the time Christmas exams had come. She had made sure the staff and students alike were afraid of her toadlike grin, and her pink parchment. Harry and Hermione had both recieved numerous detentions from Umbridge, each as painful as the last. "Harry, have you noticed a change in McGonagall's mood?" Hermione piped up one night as they were dragging heavy trunks to Umbridge's office. "Yeah, actually I have. She seems more willing to give into things than usual. Why?" He got a look and an arched eyebrow for that. "She just seems more weary, tired, and reluctant. Umbridge pulled that move last year, and I bet that McGonagall wants to rip her head off for it." "Shhh. Here she comes." Her walk was slow, and breathing heavy. She was murmering things that scared the hell out of the sixth year Gryffindors.

Please, please forgive me,

but I won't be home again.

I know what you do to yourself,

I breathe deep and cry out:

Isn't something missing?

Isn't someone missing me?

Harry ran back to the common room to collect Ron, and follow McGonagall more closely. Hermione had suggested it. "So, what did you two hear that freaked you out so much that you are persuing our head of house?" Ron's look was stupid enough to make Moaning Myrtle laugh. He just didn't get it. Hermione had to repeat what she had said. His look of confusion changed to a look of pure worry. "Whats she gonna do?" Harry felt like punching the stone wall in exasperation. "She is depressed, Ron. We have to let Dumbledore know." He finished flatly. Ron and Hermione both knew Harry didn't agree with the headmaster's ideas, especially since he let the toad in. They were inclined to agree, however. On the way there, they incountered McGonagall agaen. This time she was about to break down.

Even though I'm the sacrifice,

you won't try for me, not now.

Though I'd die to know you love me,

I'm all alone.

Isn't someone missing me?

If they wanted to stop the depression, they had to get to Dumbledore quickly. Minerva had no idea what they were doing out and sneaking, but she had seen them, and done nothing. A simple thought had run through her head. What if they are caught by Dolores? She'll surely deal with Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger harshly. She hasn't failed yet. Harry knew the shortcut from Umbridge's office to Dumbledore's. "Come on, you two... we can't let toadwoman see us t-this late. c-come on!" When they made it to the gargoyle in front of the office, Harry uttered a password, and failed. "Lemon Drop. Sherbet Lemon. Damn you! Fizzing Whizby!" That worked, but a sick sweet voice caught them. "Hem hem." Harry whirled round to see Umbridge standing two feet from him. "Hello, Umbridge. I have to see Professor Dumbledore about something. Could you hop along wherever you are needed?" Minerva froze as soon as she heard Harry's death tone speaking. "No, Mr. Potter. you my friend will recieve a detention for using that disgraceful James tone of yours." She simpered. Albus had come out to see his visitors, and saw Harry clout Umbridge streight in the nose. "Harry, Ron, Hermione follow me please. Good evening, Dolores." He had taken them and Minerva was alone again.

And if I breathe, I'll breathe

knowing you don't care.

And if I sleep just to dream of you,

I'll wake without you there

Isn't something missing?

Isn't something...

Albus had planned on scolding Harry, but the news he told of Minerva sinking into a great depression, and Harry's assumption that she would commit suicide, he changed his mind rather quickly. "Harry, did she come right out and say that she was going to kill herself?" Albus' voice showed concern for his deputy. He had loved her since she had attended school, and been in Gryffindor herself. Hermione had told Dumbledore exactly what she said, and Albus and Harry's suspitions were confirmed. The only thing that stood in the way between them and Minerva was Umbridge. "Why did you hire her back! She's the one that ordered McGonagall shot down. How will it feel to be partly responsible for her death?" Harry bellowed. Albus had wasted no time in planning ways to divert Dolores' attention elsewhere. In her private rooms, Minerva held Godric Gryffindor's sword in her hands... ready to say goodbye to it all, when Albus and the trio burst in and tried to stop her. "Minerva, it's not too late. put the sword down. There are other ways to handle this. Has Dolores done this to you? What can I do to convince you that you don't have to-"

Even though I'm the sacrifice,

you won't try for me, not now.

Though I'd die to know you love me,

I'm all alone.

Isn't something missing?

Isn't something missing me...

Albus had to pry the sword from her hands, and only then did he confess his love to her. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had done their job. The next day, Dolores Umbridge was sacked, and Hogwarts life as they knew it was restored. Albus had to work on his negotiation skills, but that was just another thing on his to do list. The road ahead was hard, long, and menacing, but with support and encouragement, Minerva's suicidal thoughts would slowly and truly vanish.

FIN