WormWood & Arrowroot. Sequal to Fuadiddles.

[Taylor]

Summery: You can't go home again- it's never the same. Minerva discovers the changes that have happened in a lifetime away from her family home- a sinister secret that may very well remove her from Albus's arms forever. Continuing sequal to Fuadiddles.

Rated M for graphic content.
Disclamer. Own nothing. Write for fun. you can have my bills if you want...

Please do not try this at home.


Chapter one.

Minerva kicked through the fallen leaves along the path that ran along the barn to the estate. Yes, she loved the chance to be home during the school break. With Voldemort and his followers about everywhere, there were precious few places that she could go with out having to deal with the hysteria that followed.

Albus had said she had become too serious. She needed time off, and away from everything. The easter break allowed her the time, and at his insisting, he had charmed his tea pot to a port key and she was many miles away in several heart beats. He had even taken a moment to pack her bags, and before she could protest, she was a way.

She took a breath as the path opened to the estate. She hadn't been back home since she started to work at hogwarts- and not many schools would have taken a new teacher on in the middle of the school year. She had left home in rather a hurry, it had seemed to her neighbors, and she was smart enough to follow the local paper at a distance for a while.

until everything quieted down, and they stopped printing her name in every edition.
They were far away enough in the country that the ministry of magic didn't bother with them, and that anything that happened had to be hidden properly from the muggles that lived around the estate, or for that matter, the muggles that worked on the estate.

it wasn't until she was 11 that she learned she was magical, everything had been taken for granted. Everthing that was cooked was done the muggle way, everything that was done was muggle, and now, now, things were very acward.

Making love to Albus was even more difficult. Her father knew everything that would happen, had happened, and could read some ones mind in a heart beat.

[Taylor]

When Albus had said for her to go home, she had thought- Home to her london flat- perhaps, too eager as she thought he would be joining her. it was - a shocking moment- one that was a bit disorented to see she had been returned to her birth home.

She hadn't stepped on the grounds for 39 years. She stood rooted to the spot looking at the house- where it had all happened too quickly.

December 1956

She had been down in the root cellar checking on things when she saw their supply of worm wood had taken on moisture and needed to be re dried. not only did they use the herbs in the traditional muggle sense, but in the magical way, which for some would have been confusing. christmas was coming soon. She wanted to be sure they had enough potions to last them through the winter- while the fires would always be lit- they were more for cooking food, than potions, which traditionaly were done in the fall and spring, in the guise of putting plants up.

she fondled the leaves and saw that it would take a bit of drying to get them back to where they wouldn't mold again. Worm wood was used in several potions, and was an antidote for many poisons, and while she was content to play the spinster daughter taking care of her father, she loved to stand over a simmering cauldron making things that only a wizard would understand the beauty of.

her eyes glanced around, and taking a bit from the needed plants, took it up to the kitchen and set up a small fire. as it simmered she looked around for a bottle with a proper cork for what she was making. She found several wine bottles, and with an old fashoned good scrubbing of them, had the four bottles lined up, ready to go.

She knew, that St Mungos this time of year would be needing some of the things she could brew. They always ran short , and having a gifting of what she had in mind might well help a serious afflicted witch or wizard survive untill a cure could be found.

she was careful to write what was going in the bottle, the potency, and her initals with the date if they had any questions.

and so, an hour later the pale liquid poured gracefully into the bottles and were waxed and corked by her hand. they had to cool, then they would be taken off by owl later. She cleared the cauldron and saw that the worm wood was now dry. She took the steps down to the root celler and was putting it, and her cauldron away when she heard the young boysterous voice of the neighboring baron's eldest son. Edewial. He was 20 yrs her jr but it never troubled him that she was much older, twice his age, or prevented him from professing his love for her each time he saw her.

"ello? Mind if I nip all o' your mead m' love?" she heard him call down the steps

"Yes, I do, so don't go helping yourself to it." she called back up the steps. She heard her fathers footsteps come into the kitchen and the two men speaking. She hurried up to the kitchen to find her father sitting at the table alone.

"Hello father, why, where is Edewial.?" she asked. Her father looked at her very seriously.

"Minerva, please, sit. " she did, burying her hands in her apron.

"Edewial brought to my attention last month that he is seaking a wife, and of all of the women in the land, he finds favor with you. He understands about the age difference, your still young enough to marry, and bear children. He asked me a month ago for your hand, and I said I would discuss it with you. I am - inclinded to grant his request Minerva. It isn't about the money, or the tital that would be exchanged, but, we need to think of what the muggles would think, Your growing old Minerva. Your siblings need to wed and if there is reason to question, why, one isn't married before they are 40, then, it could make things difficult for them."

" But- he's a muggle- as muggle as they come father- it would mean, I would have to give up... my life. who I am."

"yes." He said it with such finality, that she knew there was no arguing with him. She hung her head, then looked up. Looked at him. She saw it was breaking her fathers heart.

"He would never accept a witch in the family." he said softly. for a moment their eyes met. It was a way out for her- for her to escape what would happen, but, it would be a betrayal for her family. She could tell Edewial the truth, that she was a witch, and he would abandon all hope of marrage with her.

The scandle that would follow would be too much though. Her family could lose their lands, and their lives.

She looked beyond her father to the counter. Something was wrong- very wrong, as she saw the three bottles on the counter glistening in the snow spun sunlight.

"No..." she breathed horrified.

[Kandice]

This is intriguing. I wonder what the three bottles on the counter contained. I hope to see another update soon. Kandie

[Taylor]

Her father was not one to take no for an answer- but the horror on his daughters face was enough to make him turn in his seat. He saw the three bottles. He turned back to Minerva.

"How could you have been so careless!!" he thundered.
"I was just down in the root celler returning the wormwood back to the hooks, Edewial came in and asked for some of the mead, I told him no, and he must have took a bottle anyway. Can I help that your future son in law is a thief? - where is he father- where is he going?"

her father sighed. "To the tavern. Do you have the antidote?" Minerva siezed her wand from her pocket and summoned the arrowroot from the shelves. Her father looked at her, his face more grim than she had ever seen it.

"Father- I-" She began, knowing what he was going to say.

"Go, Minerva. " he said simply.

Minerva burst into the tavern just as Edewial had raised the bottle to his lips and swallowed. She wrestled her way through the crowd of people shoving them aside as the bottle slipped from his grasp and fell onto the bar as he gave a slow motion fall to the ground. She was there beside him shoving the arrowroot pulp into his mouth half a heart beat later. For a moment nothing happened, then his eyes opened. he swallowed again, and took down all of the arrow root. Groggy he sat up and regarded her. She could see his mind working furiously at what had just happened. She took a breath.

"You didn't nip the mead - you picked up a bottle like liquid cloriform, that was to be sent to the hospital for the injured. If father and I hadn't worked out where you would be -you wouldn't be here much longer."

"An wha di ya wake im with missy?" asked the bar tender who was eyeing the spill on his counter.

Minerva snorted. "Just arrowroot and charcoal paste. Its been used as a poison antidote for years."

She stood up and saw her bottle was now upright and almost empty, the bar tender wiping away the spill with a soiled rag. She recorked the bottle and as the bar tender put the rag under the counter, she took her wand in her pocket, pointed it through the counter at where the dirty rag was and wordlessly said the spell to remove all traces of her potion from it.

She strode from the tavern with determined steps to get out of there as fast as possible. She heard the door slam behind her, and the quick steps of Edewial behind her- catching up to her. She could see anger on his face. He was surprized to see just as much anger on her face.

"How could you!" she demanded of him. She saw his face grow dark with anger.

"I? your blaming this on me? If you were my wife now I would whip you to submission."

"I am not your wife. How could you ask , and tell everyone that I had accepted you in marrage with out even asking me?"

"Because I don't *need* to ask your permission. I have your fathers permission to marry you. What I want to know is how long was it going to be before you told me."

"Told you? I'm the one who only found out today what your intentions are!" She turned away from him and became aware every face at the tavern was pressed to the glass watching them. She began to walk away from him. he roughly siezed her arm and turned her back.

"No. When were you going to tell me your a witch." he said loud enough for the people in the tavern to hear, his fingers tightening on her arm.

Minerva slapped him. Hard enough to stun him and him to let go of her arm. She shoved him with both hands and watched him fall to his backside.

"How dare you! How Dare You!! "she thundered. "You come into my home and steal from me and I risk my life riding to get her to save your life and you call ME a witch??! I would not marry you if you were the last man upon this earth! Go back to your drunken friends Edewial, I have no use for men the likes of you. You will never find happyness Edewial as long as you will live if you continue to think as you do. Never darken our door step again." she said marching off to where her fathers horse was teathered. She mounted it, then giving it a sharp jab of her heals, she spurred it to a gallop away from him.

It was two days later that Minerva and her father recieved word that Edewial's younger brother had been found dead in his sleep, and the followind day, Edewials mare collapsed in her stall. Things began to happen on the Baron's estate, and it wasn't long before all eyes were apon Minerva. Minerva had packed her things away, reduced them - hidden them, and everything that would connect her family to witchcraft. People began to talk though, remembering, and accounting to strange things that had happened while Minerva was around.

Edewial chose another bride- younger than he, bit of an brainless chit, beautiful, sweet, the daughter of the local miller. Minerva made no plans to attend, nor was she interested in the event, until they were awakened by a rough pounding of the estate door. It was Edewial, his wedding garb torn from the branches, his horse flecked with froth and labored breathing.

"Where is she? Where is the witch who murdered my beloved in my arms!" Edewial thundered pushing past the maid who had opened the door.

Minerva came out of her room in her tartan dressing gown, her hair down tumbling past her shoulders.

"What on earth is going on?" her father asked coming from his room, Minerva shook her head.

"She is dead- Dead and murdered by that witch who cursed me to eternal unhappyness!"

"did you really?" asked her father quietly. Minerva shook her head, then met her fathers eyes. As long as she was at that estate, they all faced, terrible dangers. She went to her room, gathered her bag and went to the grate. She had packed her things for such a day as this long ago. She took a handful of the powder, her bags under her arm and said clearly. "Diagon Alley."

Gringots was closed. Not that it would matter, her father didn't have an account with them, and what wealth they had was in the land, and other things. She realized in her haste to escape, she had no money. The only place open at this time of night was the leaky cauldron. There was a whirl of snow that followed her in to tha tavern, one that chilled her to the bone. She nodded to the tavern keeper and made her way to the fireplace, pulled up a chair, then sat down shivering more cold than she had ever been in her entire life. she leaned her head against the warm stone and let tears come down her cheaks.

"you'll be needing this to warm you up" said a kind voice, one she recognized. she turned, tears still on her cheaks to see in the flickering firelight, Albus Dumbledore. He summoned a chair and pressed the mug into her hands as he sat.

"I am glad that you were able to make it through the storm, Ms McGonagal- I was becoming concerned when your owl didn't return my letter of inquiery for the teaching position. You, are, here to accept the transfigeration teaching position at Hogwarts? I understand that it is a week to the holidays, and one may return home, but there is much work to be done..."

Minerva found herself nodding. She knew there was nothing left for her back at her birth home. She allowed Albus to escort her to her room at the leaky cauldron, and the next morning they took the hogwarts train back where she unpacked, and made arrangements to keep up with what was going on at her home. She never spoke about it to any one at the school, and only infrequently had she heard anything from her family.

The only thing that had prevented an all out burning of her familys estate was Edewial had somehow learned she was in london the night of his wedding, having not seen her there he was unable to place the blame on her.


All of these memories came back to her as she stood leaning against the fence looking at her birth home.

What had Albus been thinking? she wondered as she got up enough nerve to go to the front door and let herself in.

tbc.

[Alesia]

I meant to say something earlier today when I read this but I really like it. It has is unwrapping into an intriguing story.

[Taylor]

Not much had changed on the interior of the house. It was self cleaning- charmed to resist dust, and spiderwebs, and water sloshed in from muddy boots. Even the dishes, charmed, would clean themselves and be self drying after they were used, one just needed to put them on the sink board. Even the bottles of wine were self refilling- though once in a while her father would, on the matter of principal, go to the tavern for a pint.

Her father moved about the house with the grace and ease of a man half of his age. Most of the old neighbors had passes on, so there really was nothing to put a day of birth on him, or minerva for that matter, though years at the school had put years on her. He was asleep in the chair by the fireplace, a brandy in his hand. She knew if he dropped the glass he would repair it and a wine stain would be easier to do than anything.

She sat on the low foot stool beside his chair, resting her head on the arm of the chair listening to him breah.

In a heart beat, she transfigured herself into a cat, then gently lept onto the chair and slid onto his lap, laying her head down on his chest.& closing her eyes.

'oh father how I have missed you' thought minerva.

[mininerva]

This is a great story so far! I can't wait for the next update!

[Taylor]

"Coooeee! When did we get a cat Father?" was the voice of her oldest brother waking both of them from their afternoon nap. She felt a hand on her back and looked up into her fathers eyes. She had informed him she was a registered anamagus, but he had never seen her as, a cat. She did not want to be dumped into the barn to chase mice the whole time she was home, but she also didn't want to let her entire family know all of her secrets, just in case.

"If youd payed more attention to the goings on of this house Alberth, youd of known we've had a puss for ages." her father said stroking behind her ear. Minerva couldn't help but to purr from the soft tickle.
Minerva stood up on her hind legs and pressed her muzzle to her fathers cheek before she hopped down from his lap and scooted to the steps that led upstairs.

it took a moment to get her things from her pocket, and then expand them, and then come downstairs as if she had been resting upstairs the whole time. She came into the room, gave her father a proper hug
"Have a proper cat nap?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes. She nodded.

Minerva took her regular place at the dinner table. Her father looked over the meal with approval. Eating hadn't been the same since she left. he had complained in one of his letters. Her brothers had never learned how to cook properly while she was there. They hadn't needed to. Some of the meals were almost- Almost passable. others needed major charms to make them edible. Her father took the first bite, nodding to the others. Silence hung over the table as her family ate. It wasn't until after dinner, while they sipped brandy in the back room next to the fire that her brothers began to question what had happened in her life since shed left. She shot a look at her father.

"you didn't tell them?" He shook his head. "thought you would be coming back after things quieted down, and I didn't want Edewial to hear it from them if he managed to get the drop on them. He still goes on about you"

"Aye, But no one listens to him anymore. Almost sad, really. Did you really curse him in front of the tavern?" asked her younger brother Dayfid. She shook her head.

"No. I did not. Any misery that befell him was ether by his own hand, or someone elses. After I left here, I went to london, and met with Professor Dumbledore, who hired me to work at our old school. When the head master died, and Professor Dumbledore was promoted to head master, I became the deputy headmistress, and that was 14 years later."

Her younger brother began to think - it was a strain for him sometimes her eldest brother had teased upon occasion.

"Hang on Min, Why would the school need two transfiguration teachers for 14 yrs?" Minerva looked over her glasses at him. Sometimes he actually was able to work out sense.

"Professor Dumbledore was teaching herbology while Professor Sprout was on sebatical, which gave him time to compleat his reseach on the 12 uses of dragons blood with Nicolas Flammel and Ragnok. " she said smoothly. Her father gave her a look over the brim of his brandy glass. She could hear his question in her mind and she hoped that Dayfid didn't ask what a teacher did on a 14 yr sebatical.

Things about the house almost seemed a bit- dull after her first day home. She chuckled to herself. Dull was what she really needed. She needed time to sort through her feelings about Albus, and what had happened between them. By sending her back home, it would give her a chance to find the answers she knew were troubling her. if, as her brother had said. had she really cursed Edewial out side of the tavern with out knowing? belatedly that night she had fled, she had realized she could have gone to work at St Mungos as a potions mistress- but teaching was much more satisfying. She still had access to a wonderful potions room, and she still made things for them when she had the chance, and after she became deputy headmistress, she saw that the things produced would be able to go to St Mungos to help them, and in turn, they would provide some of the raw ingrediants.

Minerva realized it was only a matter of time before Edewial heard of her arrival home. Perhaps it was what Albus wanted, for her to work out everything that was troubling her- but, being caught from behind as she walked home from the field, thrown onto he back of a galloping horse and hit on the back of the head wasn't exactly what she thought he had in mind at that.

[Wetembers]

I would love to know what is going to happen next. I like the transitions between the times. It flows easily without being confusing.

[Taylor]

Warning, Graphic content.


Minerva woke- her ribs hurt, her head hurt and she couldn't see right. She realized she had lost her glasses somewhere in all of it, and was too weak to move. She relized she was tied down to a flat table and there was the sound of something being sharpened.

She heard voices. One that she recognized as Edewial's, others she didn't recognize.

"How do you know if they are a witch? asked an eager young voice.

"There are tests... Witches do not bleed when cut with silver, the holy water will burn them, the living waters will not accept them, they do not burn by flame. " said Edewial's voice.

"But she is an old woman- if your not correct, then- it very well may kill her what you plan to do..." said a voice off to her left. Carefully she turned her head and saw it was a young monk, who regarded her with some abject fear-

Minerva closed her eyes. of all the days to leave her wand at home, tucked safe in her bag- she had no use for it- she had nothing on her to show she was a witch. Even her clothing had been switched to what elderly muggle women would wear for her age for a walk in the woods. The only thing that had saved her from her head being smashed in was her bun.

Edewial strode over to her and grasped the cotton neckline and ripped downward. At least she had worn sensible foundation garments that covered her modisty. She saw him raise the silver knife and the bottle at the same time, then hand it to the young monk who was shaking. She heard some latin, and then the icy water was splashed over her and into her mouth. She coughed as it had entered her throat unexpectedly, and then blinked away the water from her eyes. She shot a look of pure defyance at Edewial, then regarded the monk who was shivering. She would not give Edewial the satisfaction of her begging for her life. unless the blighter stabbed her heart out there wasn't anything that Poppy couldn't fix.

Edewial saw the monks heistation. He grabbed the knife from the monk and stabbed downward with such force as it went through her shoulder that the blade pinned her shoulder to the table. bright blood bubbled up from where the blade had entered her body. The monk pulled away, horrified that he had been party to what Edewial had in mind.

"She is a witch!! I tell you she is!" he said as he wrestled with the blade to pull it out with the intention of stabbing her again. "She is a witch- why else would she not cry out for mercy- or in pain?" he demanded as he finaly wrenched the blade from her shoulder.

"Because I do not beg from cowards... and all that you have done to my family has hurt me far worse than this" she said in the softest of wispers.

"What I have done to you? You?! You distroyed my family, my home, everything that once I had is gone- because of you!"

"I did nothing except save your life. "

"you cursed me!- "

"as long as you held the same way of thinking you wouldn't be happy. You thought you had the right to own people as one would a cat- or a dog. I had nothing to do with anything else. you made your own misery." she said quietly. The monk looked at her, saw how white she was from the pain.
"this isn't what you said would happen." he said finaly, finding the courage to speak up to Edewial. Grasping the knife from him he cut her bonds and made her sit up. a fresh wash of pain came over her and she fainted in his arms.
She woke with her head banging against the saddle of a horse. She felt her hands and legs bound and heard the protest of the Monk as the roar of a river grew louder.

She knew then, knew that she would never see her dear Albus. Edewial was going to cast her into the living waters as the final test. If she came to the surface, she was a witch, if she sank and drowned, she was mortal. Silly nonsense really, if you thought about it. bound as she was, she would drowned. even if she wasn't bound, the shoulder wound made swimming impossible. she noted that the blood ran down her arm.

She had one chance to rescue herself. it was something she never tried to do before- a controled transformation. She focused on just the tip of her finger- and saw with releaf that it had changed to a cats claw- long- sharp, dangerous. She took a breath, she would have to untransform it as fast as it transformed...

Drawing her hand closer to the horse she drove the claw into the tender flank of the horse, ripping into its flesh. She untransformed her finger as the horse reared and bucked and threw both of them to the ground. She felt a few ribs crack. She heard the shouts of Edewial as he tried to control the horse and as she struggled with her bonds she saw the knife had fallen with in reach of her hands. It took a second with gasps of pain to sit up and cut the bonds for her legs, and her hands and when Edewial came to get her, she had the knife in her hand ready to defend herself.

"What type of a man are you that kidnaps 70 yr old women, stabs them and then wants to drowned them? I would say one who is evil." she managed to gasp before spitting out some blood in her mouth.
"Your wife died on your wedding night- you blamed me, but it was only she, and you in that bed chamber! Only you, and your younger brother shared the same room. Only you road your mare the night before- hard, to where and back, so hard that she died of exhaustion, and you blamed me, because you are incapable of blaming yourself. why not we test you, to see if you bleed if you can survive the living waters..." she said her breath ragged.

The monk stepped up to him and put his hand on Edewial's shoulder. "enough"

Edewial pushed him back "It isn't- not until she has paid for what she has done!" he thundered.

Minerva had used the distraction to stand, and grasp the saddle of the monks horse that milled near her. In a heart beat, she had used her good arm to pull herself up and kick the beast in the flanks, spuring it deep into the woods. She had no idea where she was, she knew her mount wouldn't ever out run Edewials' horse. She was out of sight of them within seconds and had made up her mind in that time.

She jumped upward as she transformed into a cat. the action terrifying the horse as it ran faster down the path. as a cat she withdrew into the branches and shivered as within half a miniute Edewial thundered past her.

She could only find shelter in the crook of the tree and close her eyes. She was too far away to get help, too far to walk back to her fathers home and how could she explain everything?

"Oh Albus" she moaned slipping off to being unconsus.

[Kandice]

Minerva was simply awesome. I hope Albus saves her but that's my romantic side bursting through. I hope that other jerk suffers a lot more.

[mininerva]

Wow, go Min! Great update, I can't wait for the next one. I like how you brought in the various "tests" that are supposed to show whether someone is a witch. I have horses, so I winced at the part with the claw, but she was in a desperate situation. Very cool that she can ride though. :-)

[JKMcGonagall]

I agree, way to go, Min! She was really awesome. She didn't let her situation get her down. She did what she had to to get away from that awful man who can't take responsibility for things that were his own fault. Instead, he just wants revenge for something that never happened. Min seems safe for the moment, I just hope Albus can sense she needs help and find her in time.

Super story. I love it. Can't wait to find out what happens next. Please, update soon.

Kay

[Taylor]

It was dawn. Minerva had no idea how she had slept through the night in the tree with out falling out or freezing to death. Perhaps the cold had saved her life- She didn't know. She was aware of voices. Edewial's - raised in a panic- and other voices- he was leading them to the living water spot. Her cat ears twitched- she recognized the voice of the elderly constable, and, her father- with her brothers and some of the other villagers. She managed to climb into an area where the foliage was very thick then transform back into herself and clung to the fork in the branch. they could not see her unless they looked straight up. She rested her head upon the branch, waiting, listening. Her shoulder hurt. no doubt infected from everything that had happened. by pressing the branch to the wound of the shoulder she had stopped the bleeding. her ears twitched under her long hair as she listened to what Edewial was telling them, but it made no sense to her. She watched the constible pass under, then he pulled his horse up short as something warm fell from above. the shift in her movement had torn open her wound again. it was her blood that fell down upon the neck of his horse. he looked up and saw her, clinging to the branch, her face gastly white, her blouse torn and soaked with blood. It was some doing that it took to ge her down, her arms were locked around the branch so she wouldnt fall. A blanket was produced, and then she was put in the front of her fathers saddle and held in his arms as she clung to him shivering.

"Child, what happened?" her father asked as the constable held his mare near to hear her answer. Minerva's voice was faint as she said how she had been kidnapped, and taken to someplace, then stabbed, and brought there to be thrown into the water to drown. She could hardly lift her head as the shout from ahead informed them that the young monk who had been with them had been found- alive, but only just. Edewial pointed to her and said loudly "Isn't it as I said? she lies! She took the dagger to kill me, and I fled, she took her anger out on the monk..."

"SILENCE!" thundered the constable. Edewial opened his mouth to protest, then shut it, and then went to go as if he was going to ride ahead to where the monk was. The constable caught his reigns and held his mount.

"It is best that you stay here, M' lord, until we know what has happened here."

Minerva didn't remember the long ride home, only her fathers arms about her, holding her, telling her everything was going to be alright. Someone had gone ahead for a muggle dr, who met them at her fathers estate. The young monk had been brought there as well to be cared for at the same time. It was some time later that the muggle dr came down the steps and went to the constable. The monk had informed him that Edewial was determined to prove Minerva a witch, and had done everything she said he had done, then Edewial had stabbed him because he had tried to prevent him from going after her. The delay had given her time to escape.

Edewial jumped to his feet and protested his innocence. Minerva had bespelled the Monk to say that- he was innocent, and no court in the land would say otherwise.

Minerva heard the footfall in to her bedchambers and looked up. It was the constable, with her father standing in the doorway.

"Ms McGonagall, I need to know what happened-"

"I've informed you what happened" she said, then saw him shaking his head.

"No, before- how this all started, why he thinks your a witch."

"Oh." she said then looked at her father who simply raised his eyebrows.

"It started 39 years ago- in december, I had gone down to check the root celler, and found that the worm wood had drawn moisture, so I brought it up to re dry at the stove, and I used some to make a sleeping draugh to be used at the hospital for surgery. I had 4 bottles of it on the counter when I went down to the root celler to return the worm wood, and Edewial entered and asked if he could have some of the mead, and I said no... he stole a bottle of the draugh, and had words with my father to the effect that Edewial wished to marry me. When I came up, he was gone, and it was a moment when I realized he had stolen a bottle, and longer to work out where he had gone. I used my fathers horse to get there just as he had begun to drink from the bottle and I gave him an antidote of Arrowroot and charcole and he was angry with me and accused me of being a witch. and, I let him know, unless he changed his way of thinking, he would never be happy. After that, things began to happen to him, I don't know why, or how, or if it had been from his arrogence. the night his bride died, I was in london accepting a teaching position, and yet he blamed me for her death. It has never ended since then. "

"Did you put a curse on him?" the constable asked. Minerva sighed. "No. He just doesn't understand the concept of what a curse really - is, or he would realize how silly he sounds."

The constable regarded her.
"I believe you. I also know, there probably is more to all of this, and I am going to continue to look for the answers... if that is alright with you?" Minerva nodded. her father came in and escorted the constable out then returned to his daughters side.

"How did you find me?" she asked quietly. her father took her hands in his and held them.

"Your, young man Albus sent me a message that he felt something was very wrong- and that it was urgent that I find you as soon as possible. while he didn't know where you were, he named Edewial as a place to start. I summoned the constable, and we found Edewial in a state, and he said he was just going out to look for his family frier who had been seen with you... Min, can you forgive me?"

"For what?" she asked feeling a bit sleepy from the events of the day.

"For wanting you to marry Edewial. I understand, now, that it would be your choice if you wished to never marry, or take a lover if that made you happy, then, so be it."

a faint blush came upon her cheeks. her father missed it, missed the significance of it, and she pushed it back in a quiet corner of her mind.

"What will happen now father?" she asked changing the subject.

"It depends. its more than likely this will go to trial, kidnapping is serious, and he should be punished, but..."

"But, that would require, everything, coming out, ..." she said softly. her father bent down and hugged her for a moment. "Yes, daughter, it would. I don't know, if you would have done us all a favor if you would have let him sleep his life away..."

Minerva looked at her father- there was a look of abjuct- horror on her face.

"What is it child?" he asked.

"His brother- his bride- what if- what if they were given the draugh?"

her father regarded her.

"They would be dead now, child, they were buried in the earth- even those who have taken the draugh need to breath- even if slowly. No one has survived more than a year under its touch and who would have access to it- or know what it was? you retrieved the bottle from him, didn't you?" She nodded.

"But when I went down to help him the bottle was on its side, and when I stood, it was upright. it would only take a few drops father." she said shivering from the thought of it.

Perhaps- Edewial was right- perhaps someone had cursed him... in a way no one would ever expect...

[Taylor]

Minerva felt a feathery brush against her lips as she slowly stirred from her sleep the next morning. She recognized the scent of Albus before she opened her eyes. though she was tired, and very sore, she smiled and taking her good arm wrapped it about his neck and pulled him in for another tempting kiss.

She heard a polite cough from the door frame.

her fathers polite cough.

Albus gave her lips a final kiss before she released him.

She met her fathers steady gaze with out a blush, with out faultering. She saw her father take a deep breath and raise a single eyebrow, but he said nothing.

"I've sent for Poppy, of course, it will have to heal the muggle way while your here, but, she can at least ease your discomfort the wizards way until such time that it is safe to heal other wise. " he said as if nothing had happened. there was a pause, before her father stepped into the room

"Child, the minister of Magic has heard of what happened, and has requested a full inqury. They, depending on the outcome, if they feel you had a hand, even indirectly with the deaths of the muggles, " She saw her father look very old just then, as if there was no hope of her coming out of this unscathed " He ... He.. wishes that you be sent to Azkaban"

"Does he really? Like to see him try..." mused Minerva calmly.

"It's not just about you, child- " her father said firmly " I don't know why, but- he seems out for blood this time, and while you can go back to your school, the rest of us have to live with what you leave behind again. "

Minerva swallowed. " I'm sorry father. but the minister of Magic has been as of late, an ass regarding how Albus has been dealing with things regarding Voldemort, and has an unfounded belief that we are trying to train an army to overthrow him."

Her father had jumped at the name of Voldemort, but the rest of her comment had left him leaning against the doorframe for support.

"Then he is an old fool. If Albus would have wished to be Minister of Magic, he could have many times over. None the less, he has given 24 hours to have this solved before they come to take you to Azkaban Child"

Minerva looked up into Albus's clear blue eyes and saw how troubled he was with this information. She knew one way, to escape, to transfigure herself into her anamagus form, but, she was registered, her markings were recognizable. Even if she would spend her life hiding, it would be but a short life, if she could not be with Albus.

Albus took her hand in his and linked their fingers together. "Right then, we have much work to be done then,.. " he said, kissing the back of her hand.

Minerva made a small noise in the back of her throat. How in Merlins name was she going to clear her name- her familys honor after 39 years?

[mininerva]

ooh, now it gets really mysterious...can't wait for the next update!

[Taylor]

At least it wasn't Umbridge who strode into the parlor later that afternoon. Fudge walked stiffly. He wasn't used to riding by horseback and her father had insisted that he take the muggle way to the estate as there were far too many others about with the young monk and she being in residence to her fathers home. Her father had no use for the automobiles, or buses, and the roads that gave access to where they lived were deep rutted- even in this century, they had chose to just place gravel on the roads to pave them. There were few homes where they lived, Nothing had changed for the century's they had been there.

He was there to oversee the investigation. It hadn't surprised Minerva. He had said he would give them 24 hrs, but he had given them 2 before he arrived. Minerva had been moved down to the parlor. She was NOT going to have a gentleman in her room it wasn't proper. She saw her fathers mouth twitch- Albus had been coming and going into her room for some time and had even helped her dress and then helped her down the steps to where she received Fudge with a tight lipped reception.

He walked to the center of the room, drew up a table and chairs then conjured up a bowl. Minerva heard the distinctive gasp of one of the maids and groaned. Fudge had done the unthinkable in her fathers house- he had preformed magic in front of a muggle. There was a flurry of wings as an owl flew into the room and deposited a letter in Fudges lap. The owl didn't wait for a response. Fudge blinked, then opened it and after reading it turned bright red. He whirled and strode out of the room. There was a scream from the young woman and then a muttered spell. A second owl flew in after the first and dropped another letter on the chair where Fudge was to occupy. He strode into the room glared at the letter then at Minerva.

"You've placed restrictions on this house? How on earth can a proper investigation be done under these circumstances?" he bellowed.

Minerva just gave a small shrug. Her voice didn't carry farther than where Albus and Fudge were sitting."They have always been on this house. Surely the minister of magic can understand the need for such ancient restrictions, as they were put into place BY the first Minster of Magic a thousand years ago...But, of course if your above the ancient law..." she said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Albus cleared his throat, it wasn't wise for her to antagonize Fudge, not now, not when there was so much to lose- of most, the love of his life.

Her father strode into the room, furious. He had just encountered the maid that had her memory modify ed. She was sitting at the table looking at the china patterns in silence. The cook was trying to get her to preform her duty's, but the young woman kept shaking her head and tracing her finger against the plates pattern as if it was the most important thing in the world.

It was Albus, in the end that came up with a solution, and was able to set things right. It was also Albus who drew his wand to her temple and extracted the memory of the days events so long ago. Just that day.

She watched as the day began, her decision to make the drought of living death from the Worm wood. She had locked the doors as a precaution, and taken care in creating it, marking it, and then going down to the root cellar to return the items. She gasped as she saw Edewial rattle the latch and pull at the door, then he climbed into through the window and unlocked the door not only to the outside, but to the rest of the house. She saw casual disregard that Edewial had for her family's things. How he had already pocketed the brew, and the silver ring of her mothers , placing it on the window sill so that it would be safe. Minerva gave a small wounded cry- In everything, she had forgotten that she had placed it there- and thought it safe all these years. She saw Edewial smack the bottom of one of the young maids who gave him a smile as she brought beans from the outside. The maid didn't notice the bottles on the counter- she would have thought them for something else. Minerva saw Edewial give the maid a lingering kiss before they parted and he called down to the root cellar. They heard her comment of No. and his smirking scowl as he eyed the other bottles. He was going over to them when her father entered. They heard the conversation between the two men, then Edewial left. Fudge regarded the younger Minerva, the horror she saw on her face as she realized what he had taken. The wild ride through the countryside to the tavern, seeing him drink from the bottle, and fall. Minerva using non magical means to save him. It was then, that Albus put up his hand and with drew them from the pensive. He had been watching the older Minerva through all of this and she was shivering.

"Why are you stopping this? We are nearly at the truth!" said Fudge jumping to his feet. Albus looked at Minerva and said softly,

"We have seen all that Minerva needs to show us, how ever, there are others that we need to question now..." He looked at Minerva's father who nodded slowly. He had given his memory already to the pensive, He had seen Edewial come into the house through the window, and had hurried down to see him kissing the maid. If Minerva was to have a proper life, she would have to marry that young man even if he was a scoundrel at times.

Albus inquired about the name of the maid, and of the people at the bar including the name of the bar tender. He patted Minerva's hand to comfort her and left her in the care of Poppy and her father while he and Fudge went out to the barn to the horses. Minerva regarded her father.

She was more afraid now, than she ever had been in her life. The look on her fathers face informed her that he was just as afraid for her as well.

[Kandice]

I can't seem to keep up with the updates but I'm not complaining. I am enjoying the story and I liked seeing events through the use of the pensieve.

[Taylor]

(Ah, well, When do I do the updates? its like this. I write some, and then I post it and then I go off and do something while my brain percolates the next bit. and if I have a chance I sit down and I write the update and there can be two or three in one day depending on how much I am able to get down. There may also be two in a row, like a chapter break. more often than not, its because my hands get sore from typing, or I get chilled and have to warm myself up,, or just because I get a sore backside and cant sit any more. It may depend on if I have a day off, or if I have to work a full day, and I try to get the thoughts down as soon as possible. Chances are I will post tonight before I go to sleep, and then tomorrow morning, *maybe* and when I get home tomorrow night from work, which ether will be at 5 ish, or very late. Saturday I work a full shift- 14 hrs, so, it depends on how the story is coming before I write on the long days. Sunday I am off, sort of- I have to transmit figures, and then the day will be spent with my mother, and then the week begins again.

Off to percolate a bit more before the next instalment...

Taylor

[Taylor]

Minerva leaned against her father with her head upon his shoulder as they watched the flames in the fireplace dance. She fought the urge to giggle and carefully lifted her head up so that she could place her hand on her mouth to stifle the giggle that was threatening to come forth.

Her father gave her a curious look. She glanced at him and said softly.

"It had to be Arthur Weasley who sent those letters to Fudge." she said at last "Or Perkins- They would be the only ones who monitor the old houses anymore"

"Do you love him?" her father asked suddenly.

"Who? Cornelius Fudge?" Her father shook his head.

"Albus. How long have you two been lovers and was I going to be invited to the wedding?"

"You don't sound as scandalized as I thought you would be." she said simply. He blinked a few times.

"Child, your a grown woman of 70, if your girls haven't been out to play by now, they never will be."

it was Minerva's turn to blush, and it took a moment for her to gather her thoughts before telling her father firmly.

"Yes, I love him and if he ever asks, yes, you will be the first person to know. Did you know, that he created that job for me 39 yrs ago? He was in diagon alley at a meeting with Ragnarok about financing for his dragon blood study and he came into the leaky cauldron, and saw me leaning against the fireplace at the lowest point of my life. He got a drink from Tom for me, and offered it to me and pretended that I was there for a job interview. Of course I didn't find that out until years later, when headmaster Dippet died- but- of all the places that I could have been- what would have become of me father with out Albus?"

"If he asked, would you say yes?"

"Is it important to you father?" she asked gently. "Because I am past having children, and I am past the age of waiting on a man hand and foot, and I have all the companionship I would need- and, he is devoted to me. He would give his life for me- or for any of the staff for that matter, but I don't see him sharing a bed with Severus Snape...and if you went by common law, that after 7 yrs in the same household, yes, then we have been married for over 30 yrs, and we have raised thousands of children, some have brought us great joy, and others, sorrow. If my happiness is the most important thing father, then, yes, I am happy with the love that I share with Albus."

She saw her father sigh, then she laid her head on his shoulder again. "Would you want him to ask me to marry him? " For a moment her father didn't answer. finaly he did, softly, gently. "I gave up on picking the proper man for you 39 years ago child. while who he is and what you two have been doing is enough to trouble an old man, the thought of you married to the likes of that foul creature is something that - well, I know the miller has had nightmares over what happened to there daughter all the rest of their days."

"What, did happen to her father- the papers wern't specific about her death." Asked Minerva curious, and now at least in a position to find out what would have happened had she married years ago.

(and here I will leave this as I am falling asleep over the keyboard.

TBC

[Alesia]

The pace of this story is just perfect. There are secret reveiled and discoveries made. Very nice. I especially liked Minerva's explanation to her father about her happiness. Corse her father's line about the girls getting out to play was very funny.

[Taylor]

"Why on earth would they have such restrictions upon their own house?" asked Fudge as the Moor pony's plodded to wards the small village. Fudge shifted in his saddle. He was not accustomed to riding, though he noticed that Albus was perfectly contented to sit upon the back of the pony and take in the scenery.

"You have to remember the times Cornelius, While the modern world accepts, even celebrates in jest- there are pockets of the world that hold the beliefs still of a thousand years ago. This is their world, we have no right to judge what is primitive or civilized with their culture. I suspect that there are more things going on in this town, than they let on to the world. "

"More like - us?" Cornelius ventured. Albus gave a nod. Proportionally in every town there were at least half a dozen family's that had someone as a witch, or a wizard. this town had only produced the McGonagals. Every child in Britain was educated at least until the 5th grade, and went on if their parents wished, or were taught at home. It made it easier for the family's of the students at hogwarts to explain where their children went. to a private boarding school. Any one of the McGonagals could have become a teacher- or something else- they were all very powerful witches and wizards in that family. Albus suspected the restrictions they had placed on the house were to keep the occupants - safe. for what would have happened to them if they did practice the most powerful of magic? if they didn't temper their talents with the work of Muggles? what then?

Albus stole a sideways glance at Cornelius, then hid a smile behind his beard. No doubt, if Minerva hadn't had to deal with Edewial , she would have become the next minister of magic. There had to be a reason why her father wanted her married off- especially to a muggle- was it to temper the McGonagal line if she would have given birth to a wizards child- a pure blood- what would have been the result?

"They are not ashamed of what they are Cornelius, they are afraid of what would they to become...That is why they placed the restrictions on the house, and... oh... Oh... my..."

Albus pulled his mount to a stop. Nothing had changed in the village since the day 39 yrs ago that Minerva had left. Everything was the exact same as in her memory. Every shop person looked the same, every villager - it was all the same.

"Cornealus... I believe you will find there is much more going on here than what you first believed." he said before spurring his mount on. It took a full minute for fudge to see what Albus was referring to.

It took a moment for him to catch up, and he followed Albus as he lead the way into the same tavern. Here some of the patrons were older, but one of the things that struck Albus was the bar tender looked the same after all this time. It could have been his son, but, by his movements Albus knew he was the same person. Albus placed his hand in his pocket- there were a few coins, his wand, and some other items he had brought in hi s travels.

they approached the bar. Albus sat down, as did Cornelius. "

"Wha cana I ge ye gents?" the bar man asked.

"A pint of bitters" said Cornelius.

"Just a moment of your time when you have it" Said Albus. He remembered what Alistair moody had said about drinking with your enemy's.

"Wha the hops ere isn't good nuf for the likes o yo?" a they heard behind them.

Albus turned around and looked at the hefty young man behind him. He recognized him as one of Edewials workers, and there were more behind him.

"I beg your pardon?" he asked simply. The young man lifted up his walking stick over his shoulder. He stood with the air of a swagger to him and said louder

"I know who yo are, Your that witch's lover"

Cornelius had the unfortunate moment to have taken a drink of his bitters and upon hearing this , sprayed it out through his nose as he struggled to breath. it took a moment of thumping him on the back to get him to breath properly, at which time Albus found himself looking at a puce faced minister of magic who had a look of shock upon his face.

"Your her WHAT???!"

[mininerva]

Haha, that's a great image of Fudge. Great update, can't wait for the next one! (And I'm so glad that you update frequently!)

[Taylor]

Albus bowed congeinaly to the man who had approched him "You flatter me sir" he said simply. As je looked at the man he saw a younger woman with a handsome young man who looked familiar enter into the tavern and take a seat in the darkest corner.

Fudge was still opening and closing his mouth like a fish, trying to work out excatly what had been said. H looked between ablus and the person - and as he turned back to his bitters he bumped over an open bottle that had a clear lavender liquid in it. Not much had been removed from the bottle in the first place, and as it fell to the side some of the contents sloshed out. even when it was tilted back on end, a lot remained, Albus regarded it, and then stopped Fudge from taking a drink. "You've had enough. If the women smell that we've been drinking, there will be no dessert for us tonight. "

Fudge looked at him as if he was mad. Albus looked into the eyes of Cornealus and saw that his mind was already clouding, that he wished for nothing better to do than sit in the bar drinking his bitters. that he would resist leaving if he could.

Albus did the only thing he could think of, he pushed into Fudges mind a mental image of Delorus Umbridge , naked and dancing along a strippers pole covered in stinkosap. The mental image was enough to make fudge bolt for the door and vomit in the nearest corner ally. As Albus was leaving he noticed at least 10 other men including the bar tender doubled over and vomiting too.

He hurried outside as he saw they were quickly gathering their wits. He managed to pull Fudge onto his Moor pony and told him to hold onto the saddle horn as he lead them away at a gallop back to the estate.

They were nearly there when Fudge called to him "I feel better now, you don't have to lead my pony..." Albus looked at him, and saw the same relaxed jaw misty eyed he had seen in the tavern. "A bit longer I think..." he said refusing to give him control of the animal. It wasn't until they got on the grounds themselves that fudge looked around confused,

"What ever are we doing here? we were going to the tavern..."

"We've been there, and we have the answers we need to prove Minerva innocent... but, I fear, there will be reprocussions far more reaching than we first imagined..."

(all the clues are here- can anyone guess? Please IM me with your answers.)

TBC....

[Taylor]

Albus drew the memory from his mind and placed it in the pensive. The group of them stood, watching the events as they unfolded- Fudge gasped when he saw the bar tender place just a shot glass full of the liquid in his drink while he was distracted. What they didn't see until fudge added his memory to it was the fuzzy image of deloros.umbridge dancing. When the memory ended and they returned Albus stood looking at Minerva's father.

"Is there a reason why the tavern keeps all who are wizards within its walls?"

Her father swallowed a moment. Fudge interupted Albus and said. "Hang that- are you Ms McGonagals lover? "

Minerva stood very still not able to breath. Albus looked at him and said sharply. "Cornealus! Proper gentlemen do not discust that subject matter in any form!" Albus took a breath and turned back to Minerva's father.

" This house, the grounds, are all enchanted, are they not? Magic exists, yet is unseen- there is a reason why you are marrying your children off to muggles, to bring in fresh blood, but- why does the tavern keep the wizards in? Minerva and your family have never taken a drink there- have they?"

Her father shook his head. "When, this house was built, the fear of magic was very strong. the- the people who were the founders of the community, well they knew there was magic about, and they made a deal with the people they knew were wizards, that they could remain in the community as long as they didn't show others what they were. There was a lot of nervousness when it came to a drunk wizard, would show off his wand so, the tavern was charmed to prevent any wizard who had a single drop pass his lips to stay until he was sober. Well, your at a bar, and your never sober there...and it would make you forget anything that you saw there-

tbc

[Taylor]

"But the potion the bar tender slipped into my drink- Thats- thats- criminal!!" stammered Fudge.

Albus regarded him over his spectacles. "More than likely we would have carried you to the back room and shoved a bezore down your throat, It was interesting that it coincided with the entrance of the young man and young woman... do you recognize them Minerva?" She walked around the people at that table.

"Why, yes,,, it - but- it can't be - both of them are dead..."

Albus shook his head "No, not dead, but away from the memory's of those who knew them." he said regarding her father.

"The Millers daughter I presume?" asked Cornelius. Albus nodded. "She has a wand in her pocket- and he seems quite comfortable with her- that - is Edewial's younger brother with her is it not?"

Minerva nodded. " They were closer in age than Edewial was to her... but if they are alive- then- what happened?"

Albus drew them out of the pensive and regarded her father who was sitting quietly by the fire. His voice was pained as he said softly

" Your muggle Shakespeare's had a story he wrote of two young loves from opposite houses- Edewial's brother had always loved Evita, daughter of the miller, He would only be a lord, never of title, he had nothing to offer her except his love. Had Minerva accepted the marriage between Edewial and herself, his brother would have been free to marry whom he pleased. Evita's dowry - the mill, was substantial, and it would have been a good political union for the family, but loveless between Evita, and Edewial. Nether Evita, or Edewial's brother could bear to be without each other. She arranged for the drought of living death to be given to Edewial's brother and then took it herself, trusting the barkeeper to wake them when it was safe. I - knew about this because- well, I took the bottles of drought that you had made, Minerva, and gave two to the bar tender- I kept one, here, just in case things got very bad... that I could escape. Once people are dead, others, tend to not notice if you walk right by them. It was my fault that they were in such a predicament, I had to fix it. "

Albus took a breath and then said to Cornelius.
"Well, it seems that that clears Minerva of all of the charges. She had taken proper precautions when making the drought, she didn't show any muggle any magic, and it was other people who affected the outcome, not she. No one has died, no compromise has been made except by your blunder - Cornelius with showing the maid magic and then bungling it further with trying to modify her memory. As thats settled, the case is closed, and no further investigation is nessasary..." Albus said gathering the things that Cornelius had to send him back on his way. He found that Cornelius was unmoving. "You still haven't answered the item brought up before, about impropriety's between you and - Ms McGonagall... as I had suspected from your duel, and her use of the spell Fuadiddlels..."

"What about it?" asked Albus innocently.

"You didn't!!" gasped her father.

"I would like to know where she learned that particular spell, as it is one of the spells that has been forbidden to be used outside of a binding contract relationship."

It was Minerva who stood and faced Cornelius. "I would say, Minister, that being the headmistress of the school, taking on that position, as well, as Professor Dumbledore being Headmaster both positions being a binding contract relationship of life, that the spell was allowed. "

"ALLOWED??" thundered Fudge. Minerva saw her father flinch. She wasn't about to tell Fudge that she had learned that spell by over hearing her parents practice their dueling late at night in their bed chambers. She hadn't understood then, not until she had preformed it on herself and albus that she knew what she was getting interested in.

She stood in front of Cornelius and took a gulp of air.

the moment - had come...

[Alesia]

he he he he, the things the children learn when we think they aren't listening. poor dad.

[Taylor]

Albus cleared his throat. Minerva shot a look at him then squared her jaw and pulled herself up to her full height. She had dealt with thousands of children, and adults, and she had a practiced ease that she could intimidate them just by a glare, a look or even a twitch of an irritated eyebrow. it was she who drew her wand and held it to his head. "That memory please Minister?" she said so severally that it was fudges time to flinch. It was time he knew exactly what happened. Not that she was looking forward to reliving the entire duel - She saw him hesitate "Just the one prior to, and including the use of the spell, there is something important that you should see..." She finished.

Once again they entered into the pensive.

Her father regarded the tangle of the body, and his look told Minerva something that would later make a faint blush go to her cheeks.

"The spell was tampered with by - HER" Minerva said pointing to the under the table wand waving of Dolores Umbridge. She stood up to Fudge again and poked him in the chest "How DARE you pass judgment on Albus, or me, or even my father and how DARE you intrude and try to pass judgment! You said 24 hours and then gave 2. How DARE YOU!! " She said continuing to poke him into his chest with each word. "I would say minister before you pass judgment that you pray no one examines the affair in YOUR office YES - I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU TWO ARE DOING!" she thundered making the window panes rattle in their leadings.

Fudge blanched. He backed up to wards the door grasping his hat he nodded to her father and shot a contemptuous look at Albus.

"Right, well, then the matter here is settled and I will just be on my wa..."

"OH NO YOU DON'T! She roared again. "YOU WILL NOT JUST LEAVE HERE AS IF YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG..."
Fudge cowered back with a whimper. Albus saw even her father was putting furniture between he and Minerva. He caught the distinct message from her father "She's gonna blow!"

Fudge commanded enough presence of mind to become very red in the face and say hotly. "NOW SEE HERE!"

It was the wrong thing to say.

Albus saw her father duck behind the sofa as the room began to tremble. The house creaked and groaned above them as energy crackled around her. her face positively - glowed and glowered toward Fudge.

"[glow=red,2,300]What did you say?" [/glow]she asked in a dangerous low voice. it was if she had screamed at the top of her lungs. Fudge felt an invisible hand pick him up by the collar of his coat and dangle him a few feet off of the floor.

Albus stepped up to her and said quietly."Professor McGonagal, enough"

It was if the wind had been sucked back into the room.

Everything stopped. Fudge was let back down, the room stopped shaking and even her father peaked out from behind the sofa and regarded Albus with a keen eye.

It was Albus who lead the minister to the door and saw him off on his pony, waving good by to him as he raced down the trail as fast as the short legged pony would allow. Albus knew he would make the floo point before dark, and at least for now, they had held off the wolves of war for another day.

Minerva hadn't moved since Albus told her enough. She kept looking at the place where Fudge was, knowing how close she had been to causing him physical harm. In a rush she understood why her father would have her marry a muggle man, and give up the magic- she could have caused him serious harm just then-

"But you didn't" a gentle voice said behind her. "Voldemort would have inflicted pain the very first second. " he continued. She turned to him and saw her father approaching them. he wore a faint stain of shock.

"You- fuadiddled him and used your employment contract as the basis? he asked dazed. he blinked a few times, his blush deepening.

"It, just- blurted out..." she mumbled.

her father looked between the two of them.

TBC...

In the Angst Section!!!

[albus1sttabby]

really cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!