Lead me not into temptation Complete 26.02.09

[TartanPhoenix]

Albus’ head snapped to the side, and his eyes widened in shock. On instinct, he reached out and grabbed the offending hand as she pulled back to slap him again. With a strength she never knew he had, he yanked her to him roughly, bringing her arm behind her. Her face came to rest in the crook of his neck, and for a fleeting instant, she wanted nothing more than to lean into him and take strength in his presence.

But, it was short lived as he released her arm and grabbed her shoulders instead. “You definitely did your homework; Minerva was always the only one brave enough to have done that. So, you are either very brave,” he leaned in again, pressing against her shoulders painfully, “or very stupid. I’m not quite sure which it is yet. But, let me make myself perfectly clear. I am not someone to trifle with, and the next time you raise your hand to me, you will lose it. I am perfectly understood?”

His voice never raised above a whisper, but Minerva was sure his words reverberated all the way down to hell. She nodded numbly, her mind working ferociously. Events from the day raced through her brain, and it began to fall into place. “My hand,” she whispered, forgetting Albus was there for a moment.

“Yes, your hand. I grant you, it is a very beautiful hand, but you could live with only one. And, I don’t know what you think may have occurred, but we certainly did not dine together this morning. Now, I want to know what your name is, your real name.”

Minerva stared at her hand, which had begun to tremble ever so slightly. Events were falling into place, but she couldn’t conceive a future where this was Albus. The man who had mourned the death of a butterfly on a warm springs day could never turn into the monster that stood before her. “The muggles got it right,” she said.

“Excuse me?” Albus questioned, confused.

“Minister, what is the date?”

Albus’ eyes narrowed and he leaned against his desk, his arms crossing in front of him. “I fail to see how that relates to your name, but today is November first.”

Minerva shook her head quickly. “No, I mean, what’s the year? When is it?”

“It’s 2002 of course. Now kindly answer my question before I lose what is left of my patience.” Minerva stared up at him, dumbstruck. It had only taken four years.

Albus watched, somewhat confused, as Minerva began to shake in her chair. At first, he thought the strange imposter was coming to her senses and the reality of her situation was beginning to set in, but then, Minerva began to laugh. It bubbled up from deep within her; all of her doubts and fears, all of her nervous energy tore through her and escaped in the only way that it could. She laughed until her sides ached, and her head began to spin, making her laugh harder.

The sound, however, was anything but funny. It was a wretched, dry sound that should have caused even the bravest of souls to weep. “Four years,” she managed to choke out. “All of this in four years.”

Albus’ tentative hold on his temper was teetering on the edge of oblivion. “I hardly think that your situation is something I would call funny. If you cannot answer a simple question, then you leave me with little other alternative. You will be turned over to the praetorian guard for further questioning. I will warn you now; they can be rather..persuasive when they choose to be.”

The laugh died in Minerva’s throat and she stood but Albus did not back away. He watched with interest as, for the first time since she entered the office, Minerva reached out and touched him.

Her hand came to rest just above his heart, and the leather covering his chest was cool and smooth to the touch. “If you’re trying to harm me, the armor is spell proofed; it will do you no good.”

“Oh Albus,” Minerva sighed, “what could have happened to you? How could it have come to this?”

She let her fingers slide down and finally away from his body. She turned her back on him and walked around his desk, but she stopped at its edge. There, sitting alone was a single silver picture frame. It was a picture of them, taken eight years before, his time, at the Yule Ball. One of her Gryffindor’s had snapped the photo as they were dancing, and had given a copy to each of them when he had graduated. Minerva watched as the couple twirled and swayed to music that could no longer be heard. She watched herself throw her head back in laughter at a joke she couldn’t begin to recall. Her own copy of the cherished keepsake sat in a similar frame in her office.

“I always loved dancing with you,” she whispered, more to herself than him, but he heard her and stepped closer. She turned from him and gazed out the window. It looked down upon a small park. There was a solitary pond without a single duck to disturb the surface. The tree held no leaves, and the flowers had long since died. It was desolate, and it fit perfectly with her mood.

“You were always so light on your feet, so free. It’s like flying..without fearing the fall. I could have stayed there forever. That was such an amazing night.” You said you would never..”

She cleared her throat. “I am exactly who I appear to be, despite what you seem to believe, and we have much to discuss if I am to return home. I don’t know what happened to you, but this is not the world in which I belong.”

Albus watched as she leaned against the window frame, wrapping her arms around herself and the photo protectively. Every fiber of his being screamed plot, but he couldn’t deny that smallest of flutters that reappeared as she looked at him with those eyes or the tone in her voice.

“I know that look Albus,” she said. She had been watching his reflection in the glass for the last few minutes. “Ask your question. I don’t bite..much.”

Albus bristled and drew himself up to his full height. “If you are Minerva, then how did you get here? What were you doing at Hogwarts?”

Minerva turned away from the window and leaned against his winged back chair. “It should be obvious what I was doing at Hogwarts. It’s called teaching Albus; it is, after all, what you pay me to do.” She wiped away the single tear that had trailed down her cheek. “As for how I got here, that’s a story I only know the beginning to.”

It took all of her strength not to jump when his hand, ever so gently, lifted her chin. “How can you be?” His voice was soft, almost tender.

Minerva just gave an ironic grin and quirked her head. “I was just wondering the same thing about you Minister. I wondered the same thing.”

He simply stared into her eyes before resetting her shattered heart with a single word. “Minerva,” he breathed, closing his tormented eyes. When they opened again, for the briefest glimpse, they were his again. Before she could react, she found herself wrapped securely in his arms, being squeezed to within an inch of her life. When he pulled away he had regained his composure. “Come, I want you to tell me everything.” He grasped her hands in his and pulled her through another door, shutting it behind them.

[QuillofMinerva]

Oh Albus, what has happened to you but at least you are going to hear Minerva out!

Keep up the great writing and looking forward to reading more

Clayre x

[pinkie]

My word! This is good stuff! I hope you will update soon!

[Herzele]

Wow !! Wonderful update !!
I, too, am wondering very much what happened to Albus, but I'm so glad he has regained at least a little sense and hears her out ...

[JKMcGonagall]

I really like this update. This story is so different from most of the others I've read. Someone, before now, mentioned "It's a Wonderful Life" in reference to your story. I agree with them now.

Just as George Bailey was given the chance to see the world as it would have been without him and his life, I think that Minerva has been given the chance to see what the future of the Wizarding World would be like without her influence and love for Albus. I really think she died (or, maybe she just disappeared because of the time-turner and could never be found) when she fell down the stairs and because she was not there for him, Albus decided to run for Minister...and it happened, of course, as he said, "Absolute power corrupts, absolutely. He knew what he was capable of becoming. Minerva just didn't understand how important she was to preventing that. Her love for him kept him grounded. The time-turner shattered...so the big question now is, can she change Albus back into his normal self, in the here and now, and go on from this point, or...will she find a way to go back in time and prevent it altogether?

Well, that is my theory as to what has happened. I don't know if I am right or not. Time will tell (but, I hope it doesn't take four years...Heh, heh, heh). No, really, update soon, very soon, please. I am enjoying this immensely

Kay

[TartanLioness]

oh this is so interesting and incredible... poor Albus, how can he have turned out like that? Well, if that's what happens when you lose the one you love then.. *shudder*

Please update soon!

Cammie

[angeldust]

wow i am so addicted!!!!!! whoooo this is brilliant you must update!

[tayryn]

oh man... i truly am hooked.

very anxiously waiting for the talk that is coming between Albus and Minerva.

you are doing wonderfully...

[ginger newts]

Oh good. I was so afraid it would take chapters and chapters for him to believe she was the real Minerva and listen to the story of the time turner. I can't wait to find out what he thought happened to her when she disappeared and how all this came about. And, of course, for them to fix everything. Update soon.

[Alesia]

I didn't find this chapter difficult to read or awkward at all. In fact I found it moved quite well and leaves Minerva in a rather sinister position. Since Albus know believes she is who she says she is, he will want to renew their relationship, now. If she denies him because of the change in him, what will he do? Minerva is in as much danger because Albus believes her then she would have been had he not believed her.

The story is incredibly rich and I am having a great time reading it. Thank you for writing it. Very Original.

[a elyk]

Wow! I don't think I've ever read anything quite like it. It's wonderful. The way Albus turned out, it reminds me of something, though what it is, I can't remember. Minerva, one moment thinking she was dead, the next, everyone else thinking she was dead. I like the pace and the style, it's a bit mysterious and leaves me wondering what's going to happen next. -kathy

[Jessabelle]

Please updates really soon!
- Jess

[TartanPhoenix]

AN: I'm sooo sorry this chapter took so long, but this story is determined to make me actually think. I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations, and a big thanks for everyone who's reviewed. Here we go.

The door had barely snapped shut behind them before the awkward silence began. Minerva shuddered as her breath danced before her eyes; the room was absolutely frigid. “I’m not in here often,” he said in way of an explanation. With a wave of his hand, the fire sprang to life, roaring and filling the room with much needed warmth.

Minerva looked around the circular room, and for the first time since her fall, she felt at ease in her surroundings. While his office had been tidy, even spartan, in its decor, this room was all Albus. Burgundy wallpaper carpeted the walls, and the familiar spinning objects that usually adorned his office, now sat, waiting, in what she could only assume was his private chambers.

There was one difference; there were no photographs on his walls. There were no reminders of friends, family, not even his favorite landscape of the Dover cliffs. For some reason, this fact alone brought about a great and unending wave of pity for the shell of a man that sat beside her, staring intently.

He led to her the small love seat beside the fire before leaving her alone and walking through another door. When he returned, her breath hitched in her throat. He wrapped a tartan throw around her shoulders, one that looked remarkably like the one currently hanging over the back of her favorite chair.

Watching her face, Albus sat down beside her and wrapped her hands between his larger ones. His hands atop of hers were warm, gentle, just as she remembered them, even if the silver ring with the Ministry’s symbol at its center practically railed against the familiarity. She watched, fascinated, as his thumb automatically began to rub small, light circles on the back of her hand just as he had always done.

Even with all she had seen, and all he had said, Minerva couldn’t contain the thrill that shot down her spine at his touch“I had to have something,” he said, answering her unasked question, carefully avoiding her gaze by staring into the fire. “When you..she died, I had to have something, anything that would keep her with me. Without it, all of those years were nothing but a dream.”

His hand ran through his short hair, making it stick up at an odd angle. “It just doesn’t make sense, I don’t understand how this,” he emphasized with a waving hand, “can be possible. How Minerva?”

‘How like him,’ she thought wryly. ‘A simple question for the most complex of questions.’ She had spent years watching him, and had perfected the technique as well. “I don’t have the foggiest.”

There was no reaction; no twinkle, no hint of amusement anywhere to be seen. Instead, there was only ill concealed impatience. She dropped her gaze, and a light flush covered her cheeks. “I was walking from my office to the Charms classroom with a time turner in my hand. I had to stop and have a small chat with Peeves about the appropriate uses for facial hair. It was my fault really; I forgot the stairs were behind me, and when Peeves floated away, I took a step backward before turning. I fell, and when I landed the turner broke. When I woke up, I was here, wherever here is. All I know is I’ve moved four years into the future, and..” she paused, reaching forward, making him look at her. “I’m not impressed with what I see. Guards, body armor Albus, and what on earth was that monstrosity on the lawns? It looked like a firing range.”

“It was,” he said unapologetically. “How else would the students practice, and as for the guards and armor, things have changed.” That hint of steel was back in his voice as he got to his feet and began pacing.

“Practicing,” Minerva repeated, aghast, “What have you become?”

“Be careful Minerva; even with you, my patience has its limits. You would do well not to forget yourself.”

“Oh I haven’t, but it seems you have.” Before she knew what was happening, Minerva found herself pressed firmly against the back wall, Albus utterly surrounding her.

“Do not dare lecture me on things you could never understand ” The cold fury from the other room was back in full force, and Albus was literally glowing with rage. He was shaking, his breath labored, while hers had stopped altogether, unable to leave her chest. Again silence reigned, Albus trying to reel himself in, and Minerva for the first time, truly afraid of
him.

“Then make me understand,” she finally managed to choke out. The steel faded away as pain took its place. He leaned closer, their noses almost touching, but not quite.

“Alright.” He pushed away, but never took his eyes off of her. “She died. The final battle came and went, and..so did she. She was caught by Lucius Malfoy in the back. She was left, completely bloody, and face down in the mud for me to find. I did find her Minerva, and she died in my arms. I lost the only woman I’ve ever loved, and in that instant, I vowed to never let it happen again. Lucius had gone into hiding shortly after Voldemort fell, and it took weeks for me to locate him. Oh, but I did find him.”

Albus eyes took on a far away glint, and a sadistic smile flitted across his lips. “You know, he screamed like a woman long before I finished with him. People were always skeptical when I said there were things worse than death, but Lucius knows from personal experience. He’s spending the rest of his life at home, in all his comforts, relieving every one of his worst memories. The scourge of the dementors without the promised release of insanity. I could think of nothing more fitting. It didn’t take long after that to round up the remaining Death Eaters. Rufus resigned shortly later in disgrace, and again, I was offered the Minister’s position. There was no longer a reason for me to remain at Hogwarts, so I entered the election. The vote was unanimous Minerva. The people craved my leadership, and I gave it to them. I’ve spent the last four years rooting out corruption, eliminating poverty. I’ve bettered our world, even if there are those who do not approve of my methods. The people are happy Minerva, and the world is safe. No one ever has to lose a loved one as I lost you again. I will not apologize for doing what was necessary Minerva. I had thought she would approve; you always said that our world should be safer.”

Minerva was numb. She had expended anything, everything but the words that slipped like honey from his lips. “Safer yes,” she croaked, the rising bile burning the back of her throat. “But, not this, never this.”

Her death had caused it all, her loss drove him to create the madness around them, and Minerva wanted nothing more than to leave it again. He had become exactly what he had feared, what he spent a better part of his life warring against, and it made her want to wretch.

She looked down at her hands, her thumb running along the non existent wound. ‘Wait,’ she thought, her mind beginning to work itself out of its shock induced stupor. The catalyst was impossible. There was no way for this to be real. She had survived the war, so this future couldn’t be possible. But, then how did she end up here?

Minerva looked up, her eyes traveling from his boot clad feet, past the ridiculous chest plate he wore, and up into his eyes, and had to hold back a laugh despite herself. He looked exactly like a child playing dejected war hero. He was pouting, and his shoulders were slumped. Apparently, her answer wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

Minerva couldn’t bear to sit any longer and shot to her feet. She found herself behind the love seat, unconsciously putting distance between them. “Albus, I didn’t die in the battle.”

Albus recoiled as if slapped again, before viciously shaking his head. “No, you did! I was there; I held you.” He began pacing before the fire, muttering to himself.

“Albus, I survived. It was the first of November, today, that I broke the time turner. I’ve been alive for the last week. Look at me,” she demanded. Waiting for him stop, Minerva continued. “The question now, is how did I get here, and where exactly is here.”

“Two excellent questions,” he said, his voice slightly huskier than ususal. His pacing had stopped next to a straight backed arm chair, and he had its back clenched tightly beneath his hand. It seemed to come as no shock to him, but Minerva almost fell backward as the chair burst into flames underneath his touch.

“I’ve never heard of anything like this, have you?” she asked, never taking her eyes away from the smoldering chair.

Albus just shook his head while he extinguished the fire, before sending it away with a wave of his hand. He rubbed the side of his face before letting it drop, his chin resting on his chest as it tended to do when he was thinking. “No, but given that the grains were exposed to air, there’s nothing we can be certain of at the moment.”

He was going to continue, but Minerva interrupted him. “Why would air affect the device?” Albus was genuinely surprised by the question. He was sure that Minerva would have understood the delicate process that went into the devices construction, especially if she were allowing the students access.

“There’s a reason that they’ve always been so heavily regulated Minerva. It takes an extraordinary amount of energy to create one, or I should say, the environment for one.” Her brows knitted together in confusion. “ It’s not a simple matter of taking an hourglass, saying a few spells, and you can travel through time. The enchantments are placed on the grains themselves. For it to be effective, they have to be isolated from everything else. It’s a vacuum Minerva. There is no air in the hourglass. When the vacuum is broken, all of that energy is released into the surrounding area. When you add the fact that blood also entered the mixture, I’m surprised you didn’t blow up the school. The last time that the grains came into contact with air, we managed to lose half of muggle London to a massive fire. This would appear to be another side effect; one I much prefer.”

Instead of blushing as he had hoped and expected, Minerva’s skin paled slightly, and her eyes took on a sad, far off, look

“Alright,” she said slowly, “it moved me forward, but how does that explain this?” she asked gesturing at him accusingly.

“You have managed to do what thousands before only dreamed of. You’ve moved sideways.” There was a gleam in his eyes that she had never seen, and the intensity of it made her toes curl.

“For every choice we make, there is one that goes unexplored,” he said quietly, slowly making his way toward her. He looked almost predatory, but Minerva couldn’t back away. “You have found yourself in the land of your unexplored choices, another universe if that makes it clearer. In your reality, you survived, so my Minerva died. But,” he whispered, trapping her against the back of his love seat between his arms, “for once, luck is with me, and I get a second chance. And, I don’t intend to waste it.”

[TartanPhoenix]

She shuddered against him as he gently kissed the shell of her ear, and she felt him smile. Confusion and rage flowed freely through her, and refused to sit idly by. With a strength neither knew she possessed, Minerva pushed him away. “Don’t,” she hissed.

Shock quickly faded and hurt replaced it. “Don’t you love me Minerva? She told me she did, and that couldn’t have changed as well. I loved you for so long, and now you’re back. Please,” he was almost begging, his eyes pleading to hear those three simple words flow from her.

“I do love him, with all my heart.” She put a hand up to stop his joyful advance. “I love my Albus. The kind hearted, loving man I know. And, I’m sorry, but you stopped being him long ago. I’m sorry.”

He stared at her, his breath coming in short gasps and his eyes swirling with something Minerva couldn’t identify. She watched as the swirling slowly faded back into the nothingness he was so good at projecting. “Well, that is bound to change, because there is nothing known that will take you back to him. You are here now Minerva, and this is where you will stay. Furthermore,” he started, but was interrupted when an authoritative knock came from the other room.

“Enter,” he growled, and one of the praetorian guards waked though. If he found anything odd in the situation, Albus standing over the frame of a trembling woman, he made no indications of it. With what Minerva was beginning to believe was a requisite bow, he spoke.

“I’m sorry to disturb you Minister, but there is trouble down in the green sector. Do wish for us to handle it, or would you prefer to see to it yourself. I know you are very busy.”

Albus waved off the supposed concern. “No, we’ll make an appearance.” His eyes turned back to Minerva. “Would you like to take a tour Minerva? This will be your home; I wouldn’t want you to get lost.”

Straightening up, he held out his hand, but she just clenched her hands in front of her and walked toward the door. The praetorian made a move to stop her, but Albus stopped him. “No! This woman is to be shown the same respect and courtesy you show to me. Am I understood?”

“Yes sir!” Came the quick reply, before the guard stepped aside, coming to attention once again as Minerva passed by.

“I do so love a challenge,” Albus grinned as he passed through the door.

---

A great fluttering could be heard, and a row of disjointed former headmasters made its way across Albus’ wall before Armando was almost knocked from his chair by the intruder. “What in the..” he began.

“Headmaster,” the panting figure of Elfric the Uncanny panted. “Sir, something’s happened. It’s Professor McGonagall.”

Albus dropped the quill in his hand, splattering ink, as he stared up into the portrait. All sounds of chatter from the other occupants had ceased, and they all waited for his reaction. Time seemed to stop as images of her face that morning passed before him, and he almost couldn’t bring himself to ask.

“What happened to Minerva? Is she alright?” His voice was hoarse, and his throat constricted as Elfric shook his head.

“I don’t know sir. She fell down a flight of stairs, and she simply disappeared with a blinding flash.”

[Sensiblyquirky]

I think this is such a smart story, and that you are doing a great job with it. I'm anxious to see how it all gets resolved.

Christy

[Jaya]

I have to agree with Christie... the premise of your story is great and you are doing a really fantastic job keeping things tied together... You are making us think as well

I can't wait for the next chapter!

[Herzele]

Wow !! You certainly make me wonder what happened .... Hopefully everything will clear up soon ....

[tayryn]

oooh... you are doing a fabulous job! just fabulous!

you've kept everything nice, and tight... and... wow... i am very intrigued... and i SO cannot wait for more!

[QuillofMinerva]

Aaaaaahhhhhhh what a place to stop!!!!!!!

A fabulous chapter and I can't wait for more!

Clayre x

[ginger newts]

Oh man, what a cliff hanger! I'm very interested that you're bringing present!Albus into the story as well. This stuff about stepping sideways through time puts a whole new spin on the story I hadn't expected. I can't wait for more. Please update soon.

[JKMcGonagall]

Your story reminds me of a Star Trek (original series) episode that I like a lot. Something happens, I can't remember what, and some of the crew switch places with their counterparts in an alternate and violent universe. Your line about the AU Albus losing his Minerva because the original timeline Minerva lived reminded me of it because the AU Spock helped the original crew because he needed his captain back. This comparison is about as clear as mud. I know what I mean, but just can't seem to put it into word to show what I mean.

I really like your story. It is very original, and as I surmised earlier it does seem that she died when she fell down the stairs.

Update soon, please.

Kay

[Alesia]

I like the fact you moved her sideways instead of forward. (Actually it sounds like you moved her both ways based on the last few paragraphs) Do I see an Albus vs Albus fight for Minerva? And will she try and save the evil Albus before leaving?

Must say very very original and you are handling it very well.

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

wow a really interesting and......exciting story (couldn't think of the word there lol) Keep it coming

[Jessabelle]

Wow this is so good. Oh you have to update soon! Really really soon, please!
- Jess

[bee.]

egads... those darn cliffhangers. this story is already coming along very nicely! it's got me thinking, and hanging on every word. keep it up, and update soon please!
ecks oh ecks oh ecks oh,
bee

[palanfanaiel]

Ingeniously thought plot... It keeps the reader, yup, that's Meeey, thrilled to read more and more...

OUTSTANDING... ;D

Pal

[TartanPhoenix]

AN: I'm sooo sorry it took me this long to update. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who's reviewed. You guys just rock my socks!!!

Complete and boundless terror is an interesting feeling. Albus could see everything around him, was aware of it, but he wasn’t a part of it. The frantic beating of his heart pounded in his ears, and he watched as the portraits flayed their arms in uproar. ‘She’s gone,’ he thought, ‘Minerva’s gone.’

It all seemed surreal. They were friends for so long, and when, finally, it appeared they could be so much more, she had disappeared. He could see her face, her smile; he could hear her laughter floating through the air, overpowering his own rapid heartbeat. He vaguely heard Armando calling his name, and the order to fetch Severus.

He sat, stunned, until the fire roared and Severus uncurled himself from the hearth with inhuman grace. “Headmaster, I hope this is import..what happened?” Severus could barely keep himself from recoiling as Albus turned to face him. His face was pale, making death look animated. His eyes were flat, dead, and his entire body shook.

“Minerva’s gone,” he whispered, hardly believing it himself.

“What?! Why? Where did she go?” Albus only shook his head wearily, gesturing toward the portrait with Elfric hopping up and down madly.

“She fell Professor! She fell down the stairs and disappeared in a blinding light. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“What kind of light? Was there anyone or anything else around? Was she carrying anything?” He spoke, his questions firing faster than Elfric could answer.

The tiny man had finally stopped hopping, and now stood wringing his hands together nervously. “I..I didn’t see anyone sir, but she was carrying something,” he added quickly when Severus took a step forward.

“Well, what was it?” Severus spat out, growing impatient. Elfric jumped.

“I don’t know,” he almost wailed. “It was in her hand. I couldn’t see it well; it was small, on a chain. I heard a crunch when she hit the floor, like glass breaking. Maybe it was a vile.”

Before Severus could blink, Albus had jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair with a resounding crash. “Are you positive you heard glass breaking? Are you certain?!” His voice was strained, and his eyes wide. The ever controlled headmaster looked absolutely wild as his long hair flowed out behind him and his hands clawed at the air. It was a horrifying sight.

“Yes sir, it was a shatter.” Elfric said timidly.

“Headmaster, what,” but Albus was already running through the door in a flurry of purple robes.

Albus’ boots pounded through the corridors, echoing off the ancient stones surrounding him. ‘Dear gods don’t let it be,’ he thought, willing his legs to move faster. He pushed his way into her office, never taking in the cooling cup of tea that sat on the corner, or the copy of Emma that sat next to it. All of his attention was focused on the single drawer. Reaching out, he pulled it open, cringing at the squeak that followed. He stared down, taking in everything, every corner every speck of dust, before reaching out and pulling himself into her high backed chair.

This is where Severus found him five minutes later as he rounded the doorway. Albus was the very picture of defeat. His head rested in his gnarled hands, his mane of hair covering his face. As he took a step forward, Severus could just make out a small leather case that sat in his lap, so out of place in the pristine office with its tattered and stained corners. Albus looked up when he heard Severus approach. A single tear leaked from his eye, as if that was all he had the strength to muster. Severus watched as he opened the empty leather case, and his eyes fell on the fading gold lettering inside. Time Turner registry #1324. “Dear gods,” Severus whispered. “She’s lost.”

---

The sound of steady footfalls was the only one to be heard as the unusual group left the office. The guards didn’t dare speak out of turn, and Minerva had to many thoughts and questions on her mind to find a voice for. It all seemed impossible, irrational to her logical mind.

It seemed she was stuck in her own personal hell. Not only had she found and lost her love all in one day, but it appeared as if she would be forced to spend the rest of her days with his sadistic twin. ‘Albus certainly knows himself well,’ she thought wryly as their conversation that morning came, unbidden, to her mind. Would there ever be a time she could look at him and not shudder? Minerva didn’t think so, but they do say time breeds familiarity. After all, when Severus first began to teach, she couldn’t stand the sight of him. Now, it only made her cringe.

This Albus did genuinely seem to care for her, in his own warped way. Perhaps there was someway to bring the man he used to be back to the surface. She dug through the short amount of time they spent together, but she could only see the flashes of anger and pain. With every sneer, every jab, her heart grew just a bit harder, colder. There was only one look, one instant in it all, that gave her hope. Could that be enough, for either of them? “What’s green sector?” she asked before she had even processed the question.

He looked over at her, surprised, before staring ahead once again. “That was one of my more brilliant ideas, and, if I may say, that’s saying something. When I took office, some..resistance arose. A few groups decided they didn’t approve of my methods, and tried to remove me. It took a rather nasty hex to the chest before I thought of it.”

For a moment, his hand ghosted over his chest plate, before balling in a fist and falling to his side one more. “That’s why you wear the armor,” she said. They both knew it wasn’t a question, but Albus nodded.

“It took almost a year of careful planning. I needed to be sure that each sector was appropriately cared for, and that every citizen fit their sector. You wouldn’t want to put someone that belonged in the gold sector in the green; the system would collapse. So,” he said as they came to a stop before a giant wall. He reached forward and put his hand on a worn stone, and the barrier disappeared. They stepped out onto a walkway overlooking what appeared to be housing below. “We color coded everyone,” he finished the thought, gesturing out over the area. “This is green sector.”

Minerva looked out over the rooftops and was instantly appalled. The ramshackle houses were covered in debris, and they looked as if even the rats wouldn’t take refuge there. “You cannot be serious?!” she said incredulously. “People actually live here?

“Of course,” he said defensively. “It’s a ramshackle group, I’ll admit, but if they could be bothered to clean up after themselves instead of acting like animals, it could be quite pleasant.”

“What do you expect Albus?” she asked, moving toward a set of stairs a little further down. “You corralled them like animals, so how else should they act? What I don’t understand is why they don’t just use the basic cleaning spells. It would at least take the edge off this mess.”

“That’s what makes the system so perfect Minerva,” he said, pulling her away from the stairs with a shake of his head. With a glance, the praetorians formed a line along the railing, blocking her exit. “The color of their sector determines the amount of magic they’re allowed. Green sector, due to their unruliness, is utterly suppressed.”

Minerva’s jaw dropped even as her eyes grew larger. Even mishandling another person’s wand was a punishable offense, but to utterly take their magic, it should be possible. “You couldn’t,” she chocked, horrified. “It can’t be done.”

“I found a way,” he said, stepping forward for every one of her’s back, his eyes gleaming ominously. She didn’t stop until she backed into the one the guards, and she jumped, startled by the contact. “Look at them,” he said, turning her toward the homes.

People had started to emerge from their respective shacks. They were all fairly clean, but worn looking. It was as if the dead had come to life once again. What caught her eye, however, was the faint green glow coming from each walking corpse. They were wearing collars. “The device acts as a magical suppressor. It breaks the link between thought and action with each individual by degrees, depending on the color. It’s possible to move up through the different sectors,” he added almost as an afterthought.

“You just have to show the overseer that you have changed for the better, and he will bring your case to my attention. I just moved up three families last week.”

“Do you chain them up at night as well,” she asked sarcastically, “or do you make them fetch your paper in the morning instead?”

Albus’ eyes flashed, and he pulled her away from the railing, his tight grip surely leaving bruises. “Perhaps you would care to join them. They’re happy Minerva! I’ve brought order to their world, made them safe. And, they love me for it.”

Minerva shook her head, and did what she swore she never would. She began to cry. They were silent tears, slipping of their own accord across her cheeks, before rolling down and landing on the stone beneath their feet. “How long?” Her voice never wavered, never cracked, but it was as if the pain of all the world flowed from her lips.

“How long what?” he asked bewildered, his own heart trying to remember what it was to reach out to another. It was a subtle tug in his chest, a feeling he had long forgotten.

“How long since you walked among them, looked these people in the eye? Can you even remember?”

“I don’t need to Minerva. I have overseers to attend their needs.”

“Then you are a fool Albus. Look just one of them in the eye, and then tell me they love you. Until then, let me go back. I can’t take this, not today, not ever.”

“You want proof,” he challenged. “Alright. Stand aside,” he ordered, and a small window opened within the human shield. As soon as he stepped to the rail, it was as if the very earth itself released the fury of a thousand burning suns. The ground began to shake, and a sound unlike anything ever heard filled the space, rising steadily until the din was all encompassing. Soon, the debris followed. Bottles, rotten food, old newspapers flew through the air in mass, and all was aimed at their exalted leader.

For his part, Albus stood, dumbstruck, as bit after bit of rubbish assaulted him. It wasn’t until two guards grabbed him under the arms and forced him back that he was able to shake off his surprise and regained his composure.

Minerva watched as his dead eyes dropped in and out of focus, and it wasn’t until they dropped to his boots that she began to understand the chant around them. In a single voice, united in their anonymity, rose the voice of his people. “Death to the tyrant! Long live Potter!”

Minerva watched, a lump forming in her throat as his eyes became alive, calculating. He brushed a banana peel off his shoulder, and pulled the lettuce from the other.

[TartanPhoenix]

She would never understand what it was she saw next. With a single nod, the guards fled from the walkway and descended into the village below. Soon, screams and shouts filled the air with each new flash of light. It was a sound that would live in her very soul for the rest of her days.

Minerva fought as she was pulled along, struggling to remain behind, but Albus was too strong. Something inside of her finally snapped. She began to beat against him, her fists coming into contact with anything and everything they could to get away. Finally, when simply grabbing her fists failed, Albus reached down and grabbed her around the waist, and carried her back into the Ministry over his shoulder. They continued this way, she screaming while he studiously ignored her, until Minerva was unceremoniously thrown onto the bed in a lavishly decorated bedroom.

She stared at him, wishing for the earth to swallow him whole, while he simply stared back, revealing nothing. “You have your answer Minerva,” he said tonelessly.

“So much for their love Albus,” she spat, getting up with as much dignity as she could muster. “I knew a man once, a great man. He told me once that even the most altruistic of men can become tyrants in the name of peace. If this is your idea of peace Albus, then I say give me war.”

“There is no reason to worry for them Minerva; they will survive. But, they must know that insolence will not be tolerated.” He stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose. When he looked up again, she was again surprised at just how old he looked. “You are free to move about as you wish,” he began softly. “I would recommend not leaving the building without a guard. You won’t have a collar, and could be mistaken for a member of the government. You will not be getting your wand back until I’m sure you can be trusted, and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. Dinner is at seven in my chambers, join me if you wish; it’s up to you.”

He turned and moved back toward the door, but he stopped just as he reached for the doorknob. “You may not agree with this world Minerva, but you are now a part of it. There’s only so much I can protect you from, but embarrass me like this again, and you won’t even have that. You gave me your respect once, I hope that hasn’t changed.”

For the first time since it all started, Minerva found herself alone in the strange new world as the heavy mahogany door clicked behind him. She looked at the door. “Come into my lair, said the spider to the fly,” she whispered before collapsing to her knees in tears.

[tayryn]

Jaya and i were just talking about this story... hoping soon for an update... and lookie here!!

yay!

this was fabulous! just fabulous!

i do hope that 'our' Albus is able to figure out a way to get his Minerva back!!

and i also hope our Minerva is able to at least help that other Albus!!

looking forward to the next part!!

[Jaya]

Very good chapter

(and yes... the line about getting used to Snape made me laugh out loud!)

Can Albus be reclaimed?

Can Minerva escape?

I too noted some similarities to an original Star Trek episode... but for some reason I can't really explain your story also brings to mind another original season ep... Patterns of Force... If I have it right a former Federation captain comes to a planet and becomes the leader of a Naziesque regime...

am impatiently waiting for more...

;D