*snip*Whatever you conclude about me and my culpability in this crime, know this: I intend to discover who did this to you—to us—and when I lay hands on him, not only will he rue the day he was born, but he will have a long and painful interlude in which to do it.Best line in the story - I knew from about the second paragraph, where this was going and what Tom was up to - but it didn't make it any easier - I wish my dear Albus had the chance to crack Tom's head in half... I really do.

This is heartbreaking in so many ways.

First, the absolute horror of what happened to Minerva, no matter the perpetrator. The potential consequences are completely devastating. That (she thinks) it was Albus, who she not only knew, but loved and respected not only damages her relationship with him, but has the potential to damage all of her relationships with everyone she trusts, and would likely cause her to question her judgement in all things. And although rape isn't about sex, to have it be someone she wants as a lover... . How long before she could have any feeling of security at all?

Second, poor Albus, to lose his best friend, colleague, and potential lover, and have no idea why, then to discover that she was brutally raped, apparently by him, and she refuses to believe his innocence.

It seems he was able to convince her intellectually, or she wouldn't have come back to teach, but the last minute return strongly suggests that she is still unable to accept it emotionally.

The way you have written this, as a scholarly article depending on the historical record, leaves the level of eventual reconciliation unknown, and the implication that their relationship never fully recovered, even over decades, is again, heartbreaking. It also highlights Riddle's depravity and it's long-term effects. It's unfortunate that Albus wasn't able to punish him for what he did.

The juxtaposition of the scholarly record and the real-time PoV's of characters we think we know also highlights that history is more than a collection of dry facts, but is made by real people, with real passions and motivations. It's sometimes easy (for me at least) to forget that.

This is heartbreaking in so many ways.First, the absolute horror of what happened to Minerva, no matter the perpetrator. The potential consequences are completely devastating. That (she thinks) it was Albus, who she not only knew, but loved and respected not only damages her relationship with him, but has the potential to damage all of her relationships with everyone she trusts, and would likely cause her to question her judgement in all things. And although rape isn't about sex, to have it be someone she wants as a lover... . How long before she could have any feeling of security at all?Second, poor Albus, to lose his best friend, colleague, and potential lover, and have no idea why, then to discover that she was brutally raped, apparently by him, and she refuses to believe his innocence. It seems he was able to convince her intellectually, or she wouldn't have come back to teach, but the last minute return strongly suggests that she is still unable to accept it emotionally.The way you have written this, as a scholarly article depending on the historical record, leaves the level of eventual reconciliation unknown, and the implication that their relationship never fully recovered, even over decades, is again, heartbreaking. It also highlights Riddle's depravity and it's long-term effects. It's unfortunate that Albus wasn't able to punish him for what he did.The juxtaposition of the scholarly record and the real-time PoV's of characters we think we know also highlights that history is more than a collection of dry facts, but is made by real people, with real passions and motivations. It's sometimes easy (for me at least) to forget that.

What an awful situation - should I describe it somehow, I'd say it's "a perfect horror" - Minerva went through a horrendous experience and her fear, aversion, pain and hurt were perfectly spot-on: just as Tom's callouseness and Albus's confusion. 

Weirdly though, I somehow always pictured Tom to be attracted to McGonagall in a very twisted way because their position had to be unequal: they're both half-bloods, but once they knew each other I can see how Minerva was a bit haughty with Isobel McGonagall (her pureblood mother) having taught her the etiquette and the haughtiness that came with it, while Tom was nothing but a boy from the orphanage even if academically bright.

Minerva's love for Albus though...I don't think so, perhaps Tom should have polyjuiced into  Dougal McGregor - a Muggle who Minerva was in love with.

Best!