Author's Note: First, disclaimer that I have no legal right to anything beyond this plot. Second, dear readers, I am back with another chapter fic! I've had this on my mind ever since a reader suggested I write a story with Minerva and Tom Riddle. At first, I was completely opposed, but I think I've come up with something to make MMAD fans like myself really happy. So far, I've had a really interesting time looking at these characters that I love so much in a different light. I hope you all enjoy this story, and please review with any thoughts. The entire story will be 3 parts. I'll be updating every Saturday. Happy reading!

Victory of the Lion

Part I: Loving A Lie

Chapter One

Minerva McGonagall emerged from her practical Transfiguration O.W.L. exam with a bright smile. She usually wasn't so obvious or effusive with her emotions, but she couldn't help herself. If that were not a perfect score, she didn't know what was. Minerva was excited to share her news.

The one person she wanted to tell was her teacher and mentor, Professor Dumbledore. However, she had finished her exam before the hour was over. Minerva milled about the entrance hall for the remaining twenty minutes. She knew that Dumbledore never went directly to dinner, so she would go up to his classroom a few minutes before the rest of the school went down to the Great Hall.

"Minerva," came a soft voice behind her.

She whirled around to see the very handsome young man who wanted her attention. Her eyebrows arched upward in interest. Tom Riddle had never spoken to her before. "Yes?"

"I've just come from Professor Marchbanks who mentioned that she also examined you. It seems that yours is the only score that has beaten mine." There was a kind smile on his face, and not a hint of jealousy in his voice. It surprised Minerva on more than one level.

"I believe she said that Professor Dumbledore has the highest score in exam history, so neither of us holds that distinction. Does it really matter who comes in second or third place?"

"Quite true. But I would not be surprised if you beat out Dumbledore. Did I hear correctly that you are a registered animagus?"

Minerva scowled slightly. "Did Professor Marchbanks let that slip as well?"

"I'm afraid so. But you should be very proud. That is extremely complex magic. I'm very impressed."

Minerva wasn't sure what to do. She was never one to be awkward, but having Tom Riddle, top student, teacher's pet and school hero, compliment her was somehow unnerving. She felt her face blush. She stared at her own feet and muttered a thank you.

"May I ask why you have never been to any of Professor Slughorn's dinners? You'd be a perfect member of our group."

"I'm not very good in Potions. And I think Slughorn knows that I'm very close to Dumbledore, being a Gryffindor and so interested in Transfiguration. I don't think he wants me in the group. But I don't mind. I don't think I like the idea of being cultivated by a teacher for what I could do for him." The answer came out bitter, but Minerva honestly couldn't care less about the Slug Club. She much preferred to spend her precious free time alone in the library or else working with Dumbledore.

"Slughorn is throwing a party to celebrate the end of exams next week. I'd be honored if you would accompany me, Minerva."

She felt like a deer in the headlights. Did Tom Riddle just ask her out? "Like a date?" she blurted out, wide eyed and blushing furiously.

Tom chuckled softly. "Yes, I would like very much to date you, Minerva. I'm only sorry that I did not ask you sooner. You intrigue me, and I'd like the opportunity to get to know you better. Is that alright?"

Minerva nodded numbly, frozen as she stood. Tom took her hand in his with an amused smile and gently kissed the back of her hand. "Until we meet again, Minerva. And good luck on the rest of your exams. I'm sure you'll do magnificently."

With that, he walked away to the Slytherin common room in the dungeons. It took a moment for Minerva to completely comprehend what had just occurred. She was going on a date with the most brilliant and most attractive boy in the school! She had always observed him as being quiet but perhaps a bit arrogant. But speaking directly to him for the first time, she found him to be charming and sincere and polite. Maybe he was as wonderful as everyone seemed to think. And he had wanted to go to Slughorn's party with her! This afternoon could not possibly get any better. With a huge smile, she raced up the stairs to Dumbledore's classroom.

Minerva ran into the classroom with wide eyes and a huge grin. Just seeing her excitement brought a small smile to Albus' face. "I take it your exam went well, Miss McGonagall."

"Yes, sir," she replied breathlessly. She seemed distracted beyond the joy of acing an exam.

"I'd like to hear all about it, if you'd be willing to share. But something tells me that something else has gone well in your life other than your O.W.L."

"Yes, sir," she said again.

"I thought so. You don't usually run over second years to come to see me. What's happened, if I might be so presumptuous as to ask?"

Minerva took a deep breath before announcing, "Tom Riddle asked me to Professor Slughorn's party next week."

Dumbledore's face fell slightly. "Oh. I see. I wasn't aware that you and Mr. Riddle were very close."

"We aren't. Well, not yet. I've never actually talked to him before this."

"Wasn't it you who told me last month that you were angry about Riddle pinning the attacks on Hagrid? I think we both agree that Hagrid never attacked anyone, even if he was keeping an acromantula in a cupboard."

Minerva's brow furrowed. "Yes, but I didn't really know him, did I? Tom was just doing what he thought was right."

"Indeed. If you are happy, then I am naturally happy for you, Miss McGonagall. But do tell me about the exam before we go down to dinner. I'm anxious to hear how you excelled," he said with a kind smile, his bright blue eyes shining with pride.

Minerva's excited expression returned. "Professor Marchbanks examined me. She said she was your examiner as well."

"That she was. I'm not as old as I seem, Miss McGonagall. Believe it or not, my O.W.L.'s were only twenty-five years ago."

She was surprised for a moment. Somehow she thought Dumbledore to be older than forty, not because he looked old, but one expects a man with his many accomplishments to have many more years behind him.

"Please continue. What Transfigurations were required of you?"

"First I had to turn a mouse to a snuffbox, which I obviously did without difficulty."

Dumbledore nodded. "Obviously. I believe you walked into my classroom for the first time with that ability."

Minerva blushed. "Well I practiced. Anyway, the trick was that we then had to turn it back into the mouse, followed by vanishing it."

"And?"
"I did it all without hesitation, without forgetting any whiskers, and I even vanished it nonverbally. I think Professor Marchbanks was a bit impressed."

"Of course she was! Nonverbal magic isn't even taught until N.E.W.T. level. Well done. What was it you were required to conjure?"

Minerva rolled her eyes. "A plate. Not a very interesting task. I asked her if I could give her a whole place setting. But she insisted on just the plate. So I conjured a platter with the Gryffindor seal. She smiled but didn't say anything."

Dumbledore began to laugh. "Miss McGonagall, I think you surprised Professor Marchbanks. You see, I did the exact same thing in my exam."

"Oh no! Do you think she thought you told me to do that?"

"No, not at all. She knows that I would never help a student cheat on an exam. I think she was merely amused at the coincidence. I certainly am. So was that the end of the exam?"

"Yes. Except…well, she did ask if I was the same Minerva McGonagall who registered as an animagus last year. I told her I was. She seemed very impressed, and said that I could get bonus points for transforming. So I did, but Professor, everyone in the room started applauding!" Minerva complained.

"You deserve applause every time you raise you wand, Miss McGonagall. You are an incredibly gifted witch. I'm so very proud of your progress in Transfiguration, and especially of your animagus accomplishment. Bonus points are the least she could give you for a feat like that."

Minerva blushed bright red. "Thank you so much, Professor. I couldn't have done any of it without you." She gave Dumbledore a quick hug, which he hesitantly returned. When they broke apart, however, he was smiling brightly at her.

"Why don't you go down to dinner? I have a few things to finish up here, and I wouldn't want you to be late."

"Yes, sir. Are we still having our weekly meeting on Sunday?"

"I think you could better use that time to study for your remaining O.W.L.'s. You still have Charms, Defense and Astronomy is that right?"

"Yes, and Arithmacy. You're right. I should study more," she replied grudgingly. She would have happily given up hours of needed studying to simply spend the afternoon with her professor, but she wasn't about to tell him that.

They bid their goodbyes, and Minerva went down to the Great Hall, leaving Albus alone in his classroom. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts before dinner. He sat at his desk and took off his half-moon glasses to put his face in his hands. Minerva, his Minerva, was getting involved with Tom Riddle. No, that wasn't right, Albus corrected himself. Minerva McGonagall belonged to no one but herself. She was his protégée, student, and, if he were so bold to say so, his friend. But nothing more. At sixteen, she could get involved with anyone she wanted to. Just because Albus saw darkness and danger within the Riddle boy did not necessarily mean that Minerva would be in trouble with him. Perhaps Minerva would have a good influence on him, bringing him away from his questionable pursuits and encourage his prodigious talent for good. Albus prayed that the opposite would not occur in the course of their…friendship. But come to think of it, Albus had never seen Riddle make friends with anyone before. He had followers, but no friends. Riddle was not the sort to make emotional connections with anyone. But maybe Minerva was different. Albus certainly thought so. Nevertheless, there was nothing to worry about yet. He would just have to keep an open mind, for Minerva's sake. But, knowing what he did about Riddle, he would also keep an open eye, for everyone's sake.

Albus went down to dinner with a conflicted heart. He was happy that Minerva was happy, but if he was being honest, he wasn't happy about the situation at all.

A/N2: Just so you're all clear, this will end up being a MMAD fic, but it will be a while. We've got quite a bit of MMTR to go through first. Don't be upset at Minerva for her stupidity. Tom Riddle tricked a lot of people, and an unpopular, bookish 16 year old like Minerva might have fallen for his act. So here's the first chapter, now REVIEW! :)