It is concerning that he'd come seeking help, given the risk involved with his identity getting out, Minerva thought quietly, sadly, Rigel really has it bad, doesn't he?
And what was that about an Unbreakable Vow? Of all the stupidthings!
And she knew Severus had to know. Letting the poor boy get tangled up in such a mess—
Oh you're going to have it from me Severus…
She knocked sharply at the Potions Professor's office door. He was and would be at Hogwarts for some time, preparing for the next year's curriculum.
“What. were. you. THINKING?” Minerva said to him once the door opened and his eyes met hers, “Oh, I know; you weren’t!”
Severus just stood by his set up cauldron, more than a little baffled. She thought he looked a bit like a cornered cat.
Good, she thought. She was sick and tired of him and Albus talking of the greater good and excusing things. Minerva thought Severus had changed, since Rigel came. Perhaps he had, perhaps she was right (please, please be right), but this was still a ridiculous and flat-out dangerous concession.
And no one hurt her cubs.
“How could Rigel swearing an Unbreakable Vow possibly be a good idea?” Minerva demanded sharply, “And why weren’t you there last night?”
Severus’s face was a study in shock, and then slow-rising fury.
“How did you know, Minerva?” For all the fire burning in his eyes, his voice was deceptively calm, “Did Albus tell you? How much do you know?”
“What are you talking about? Of course I found out last night—”
“What is this about last night that you keep on blathering about?” Severus snapped, “I was busy with another one of the old codger’s tasks, so kindly fill me in: what happened?”
Minerva’s eyes flashed, except this time the anger was not for him, “He didn’t tell you? Albus you fool—”
“Tell me what, Minerva? Get to the point!” Severus had a tone of urgency, the barest hint of desperation threading into his voice, “What does all of this have to do with Rigel?”
It took a second of conflict, but she caved, “Rigel contacted the Order for help. We met last night. I was wondering where you were but Albus wouldn’t answer my questions…”
She had never seen such relief on Severus’s face, nor such worry, “Help? Was he injured?”
“No.” She exhaled bitterly, “It’s the vow. Riddle's Award Ceremony might have triggered it.”
Severus cursed, “How did he know of the Order? Surely its so-called secrecy can’t be that pathetic?”
“He didn’t know about it.” Minerva said, “It seems he reached out to Albus first, who later convinced him to see the Order.”
“Of course he did.” Severus’ eyes narrowed, “I’ll be having words with Albus. The audacity of trying and keeping this from me—”
“Should I be worried?”
Severus didn’t dignify that with a response.
Finally, he said, his voice low and tired, “Thank you, Minerva. It is good to know he’s safe.”
He looked away and continued, almost to himself, “...It is good to know that he trusts someone to help him, at least, even if it’s not…”
Even if it’s not me… the unspoken words hung in the air.
It occured to Minerva how she might feel if a child she cared for deeply reached out to someone other in danger rather than her, who had been looking for him desperately.
She swallowed her words of reprimanding and after a vague goodbye, left him to his cauldrons and thoughts of a certain darling boy.