Lead me not into temptation Complete 26.02.09

[TartanPhoenix]

The Star Trek reference is completely unintentional. The only episode I've ever seen was the one with the furbles? Those stupid little reproducting fur balls. I've always been more of a TNG fan. As for Albus' redemption, only time will tell.

[QuillofMinerva]

Minerva lost......oh no, can Albus and Severus some how get her back before her new world gets any more harsher.

Great update

Clayre x

[Alesia]

I want to think, if she is slow and not demanding, she can find her Albus in this one and help change him, but if she is not careful, he will kill her. This Albus is very much on the edge and very much willing to use his powers in ways her Albus won't even conceive of. The other thing she needs to remember is he will only wait so long. He will want her eventually and she needs to be ready for that, for him.

The story is amazing and of course to have Harry lead the resistance is interesting as well. I expected to see a good portion of the Order in the green zone, having not forgotten what they fought for.

[Sensiblyquirky]

Oh goodness me, I do hope Minerva can get back to her Albus and this Albus can get some help! Looking forward to more!

Christy

[angeldust]

what a plot!!!!!!!!!! My god!, world domination, twisted worlds and mental characters i love it!!!! UPDATE!

[Wetembers]

I have just gotten to this story and I am enjoying it very much. I can't wait to read more. I think you are doing a great job with the changes in the two existences, dare I say worlds?

[ginger newts]

Yay and update! I'm so sad for the Albus that got left behind and for Minerva. I'm also at a total loss as to wear you might be taking us. Please update again soon, I can't wait to find out more.

[Jessabelle]

Very excellent post! I definately like where this is going! I am interested to see what will happen between Minerva and the "New Dumbledore". I am also interested to see how Albus will find her. Please post again really soon!

[Herzele]

Hopefully Min will be able to help the new Albus ...
And hopefully she'll be able to get back to her Albus somehow ... And soon ....

[JKMcGonagall]

The Star Trek episode you saw was called The Trouble With Tribbles. Tribbles are the fast reproducing fur balls. That is one of my favorite episodes.

When I said that your story reminded me of a Star Trek episode I didn't think it was intentional at all. There was just something that someone in the story said that triggered a memory of a long forgotten episode. I think your story is very creative, original, and wonderful.

Keep going with it. I look forward to each new update to see how Min is dealing with this new Albus. I think she has her work cut out for her. I also think it is great that you made Harry the leader of the resistance.

Kay

[griseldalafey]

I'm enjoying this story a lot, it's very interesting and original.

I'm still hoping Minerva will manage to reform this new Albus... but I'm also hoping she'll return to her own, loving Albus as quickly as possible.

[TartanPhoenix]

AN: I'm bad I spent the last hour of my lecture tonight working on this chapter instead of listening to the professor, but I don't think I missed anything horribly important. I just want to say thanks again to all who have reviewed this story. It's actually one of my favorites, and it's great to see others are enjoying it too. So, enough from me; on with the story.

Minerva rolled onto her back and stretched, languidly, between the rich satin sheets. Her arm came up and covered her eyes against the invading sun with a groan. Snuggling deeper into the warmth, a smile came to her lips as her mind drifted back to the previous morning. Sighing, she allowed herself to drift away in the softness of his lips, the tongue stroked over hers, in the smell that followed him, encompassed him. She even giggled as she remembered the way his beard tickled when it grazed her cheek. Her entire body was warm and fuzzy as she drifted, completely at ease. Her mind drifted along the gently lapping waves that were her thoughts to their next logical progression, the night they were to meet.

With a jolt and sickening clarity, it all rushed back as she shot upright from the pillows. Poppy’s odd behavior, the guards, the people, and, oh merlin, his cold eyes. She still couldn’t fathom what could cause a man to lose all semblance of himself. She brought her right hand up to her shoulder and winced.

Looking around the empty room quickly, trying to identify any interlopers, Minerva dashed to the small bathroom she had found the night before. Tentatively, she turned several of the handles of the pool sized bath, and was slightly surprised as the smell of lavender filled the room, mixing with the steam from the hot water.

She turned and was faced with a disturbing image, her own face. She was pale, almost deathly so, and the dark circles surrounding her dull eyes only highlighted that fact. Her hair stood out in all directions as it always did if it wasn’t tied back, and an angry red patch covered her cheek from where her hand had rested during the night.

Holding her breath and never taking her eyes from the mirror, Minerva began lowering the cotton nightgown she had found in a closet. There, on her left shoulder and upper arm, were two hand sized bruises, marring the otherwise porcelain skin. Squinting, she could even make out the darker band from his ring. Carefully, she skimmed her fingers across the purple expanse, wincing when she found an especially tender portion. It was still a marvelous thought. The very hands that had marked her were the same that had so delicately wiped the tears of a terrified first year just two months prior when she finally realized she wouldn’t be going home.

With a sigh, Minerva slipped into the steaming water and let out a groan as it began to loosen her tight muscles. She rested her head back against the marble edge and closed her eyes. Minerva knew she would have to leave eventually, face the world, as it were, but it was the last thing she wanted to do. Right then, it would be the easiest thing in the world to simply slip beneath the water and forget.

She knew she needed help, but she wasn’t even sure who was still alive. A fresh wave of loss swept over her at the thought of her friends, those she considered family, and the thought of their loss. In her world, they all survived and were flourishing. But, she had learned quickly that things weren’t as they ought to be.

She couldn’t stop the sights and sounds from green sector from playing out in front of her eyes. The thought of her fellow witches and wizards living as common slaves, animals, was incomprehensible. The fact that Albus had seemed truly surprised by their reaction almost made her pity him; almost. Minerva’s brow furrowed and she sat up in the bath, causing small waves to flow over the side, covering the floor. ‘It couldn’t be,’ she said to the empty room. The peoples words reverberated in her mind, drowning out every other conscious thought. “Long live Potter,” they had screamed, moaned.

For the first time, Minerva felt the delicate tightrope of hope lift her up, threatening to throw her off at a moments notice. Harry had opposed him. In this world, the thought made as much sense as anything else. Young Mister Potter surely wouldn’t have stood by while his former mentor tried to destroy everything he had fought for, almost died for. At least, her Harry wouldn’t.

With a renewed energy, Minerva got out of the bath and set about finishing her morning routine. “Perhaps it’s time for a walk,” she said to her reflection, putting in the last of the hairpins. “That’s the spirit dearie,” it called after her.

Smoothing down her robes self consciously, Minerva opened the heavy door and peaked though the crack. When she didn’t see anyone, she opened it fully and took a step out. Instinctively, her hand plunged into her burgundy robes when she was startled by a sudden rustling noise on her right. “That’s really not the best move around here Professor,” a man said, stepping around the corner. It was one of the guards, but he looked strangely familiar.

“And why not?” she retorted.

He smiled, almost shyly, and came to a stop just in front of her, leaning in. “Because, without a wand, you’re likely to be blasted before I could do anything.” He looked over his shoulders conspiratorially. “I promise my aim is better than when I was a student. But, it helps that there are no blast ended skrewts to backfire on me.”

He waited, and wasn’t disappointed as recognition dawned in her emerald eyes. Amusement flashed brightly as she remembered the fifth year Gryffindor who almost caused havoc in his Care of Magical Creatures class. Hagrid was at wits end for weeks after that and the skrewts couldn’t be coaxed from their cages. Far too quickly though, she remembered exactly where she was, and her walls reemerged.

“Mr. Daniels,” she said politely, “it’s good to see that you’re well.”

Jeffery Daniels leaned back and actually laughed, his entire body shaking beneath his own armor. “It’s wonderful to see you too Professor. You wouldn’t believe the uproar within the division when we were informed of who our guest was. I had to wrestle three other men for this detail.” He seemed quite pleased with himself, and Minerva couldn’t help but notice just how much he had grown from yesterday morning when she had last seen him.

“Until I’m told otherwise, I am at you complete disposal. Any questions you may have, anywhere you may wish to go, I’ll do what I can.”

“Take a deep breath Mr. Daniels. You’re going to need it. Now,” she said walking back toward the entrance they went through the day before, “what can you tell me about green sector?”

Daniels walked with the air of a man fully in command of his surroundings, and given his position, it wasn’t far off. But, with that question, he seemed to slow some and began to fidget slightly. “It’s not somewhere I would want to be,” he admitted softly, before regaining his bearings. “We have four sectors; green, blue, black, and gold. Yes professor,” he said, seeing her incredulous expression, “It wasn’t lost on me either. Each level advances the amount of magic a person is allowed through the collars. Green has none, blue has the ability to perform basic magic, cleaning spells and levitation, things of that nature. Black is only minimally regulated. They can perform most spells, but there are limitations. Some of the more powerful incantations are held back. Gold sector, however, has no regulation what so ever. All members of the Ministry, the Auror’s, the guard, and of course the Minister and yourself, are free of all restriction.”

“But,” Minerva began before thinking better of it. “How do people end up in the sectors, and how could they allow themselves to be pigeonholed? Wasn’t there any resistance to it?”

“It would behoove you, Professor, to never mention resistance again. It is not the safest topic of discussion in these times. As for personal placement, it depends on the amount of threat you possess. If you are deemed an enemy of the state, you are automatically removed to green sector, no mater what you were previously.”

“And how did you end up in Gold Sector Mr. Daniels?”

He shrugged. “My grades improved by the end of my seventh year, and I was allowed into Auror training. From there, I was recruited into the praetorian guard. There was nowhere else I could have ended up.”

Minerva’s mind was reeling with all the information, but one thing did stand out. He never said people would disappear. They always went to green sector. Perhaps there was hope after all. “I see. Mr. Daniels, just what were you told about my sudden appearance?”

Daniels stopped, knitting his brow as if asking such a question was a foreign concept. “We were briefed that you were here, indeed were Professor McGonagall, and that we were to treat you as we would the Minister.”

Minerva nodded. She found it interesting that his most trusted lemmings would be so woefully uninformed. This opened up an entirely new avenue for her to explore, but she couldn’t do it alone. “Mr. Daniels, I cannot explain exactly what is going on, but suffice to say, things are not as I left them. There are some people I need to find. Can you help me?”

He snapped to attention quickly, eager to be of assistance. Where are the Weasley’s? Arthur and Molly in particular?”

Daniels spine stiffened and he dropped his gaze to a point just over her shoulder. “They were one of the first families to arrive in Green sector Professor. They decided they didn’t appreciate what the Minister was trying to do for them, for all of us. They dared to speak out against him, tried to recall him. It was sad to see such a prominent family from the war lose sight like that.”

As little as this surprised Minerva, given the people, to hear of their fate ripped through her. “What about Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Hermione Granger? What became of them?” Her voice had gained a slight quake by the time she reached her favorite student, but Daniels eyes didn’t soften in assurance.

“Moody and Tonks both also ended up in Green sector. Tonks was trying to calm an internal conflict and was killed two years ago. Moody, I believe is still alive, but no one has heard from him in the last six months. As for Hermione,” he said, his cheeks flushing slightly, “she’s currently the transfiguration professor at Hogwarts. She’s doing a fine job Professor. You would be proud.”

“I always was,” she whispered. “Tell me about the school. Is the curriculum changed much? Are the Gryffindors still dominating the Quidditch field?” Her heart sunk just a bit lower as he shook his head.

“No, the students don’t play Quidditch anymore. They also added a secondary defense class to the curriculum. The students learn some of the more powerful spells as well as tactics for those who show an aptitude. Everyone who leaves Hogwarts leaves in at least the black sector unless their professors request a different setting. What happens next is up to them.”

Minerva shook her head at the idiocy she found herself surrounded by. “Mr. Daniels,” she said hesitantly, finally coming to a stop in front of that now familiar solid wall. “I’m allowed to go where I wish, anywhere I wish, correct?”

He nodded his head slowly, not caring for the direction the conversation had taken. “I want to see the Weasley’s.”

[TartanPhoenix]

They moved down the stairs and into a world within a world, Minerva's feet slipping slightly on th slick steps. There was an odd pressure that filled the
atmosphere, making sound impossible and breathing difficult.

Minerva shivered as they cleared the last step, coming face to face with a long forgotten people. As they walked through the abandoned streets, clutter swirling around their clicking heels, Minerva could make out dozens of eyes staring out through barely parted curtains before fluttering closed hurriedly as they walked by.

They passed down another block, stopping only as a ginger cat dasshed out from behind an overturned trash can. They stopped in front of a home, one of the less shabby in the neighbrohood, a testament to the family within. With three quick knocks, all they could do to wait.

There was a shuffling sound from behind the plank that passed for the door before it opened a sliver with a creak. Two hazel eyes and a mop of silver hair filled the crevice. "What do you want?"

"I would watch your tone madam." Daniels was about to push through the door, but he fell silent and still at Minerva's harsh glare.

"Is the Weasley home?" she asked gently.

"It is," the woman answered defiantly. Minerva reached up and pulled down her hood, looking back at the shorter woman with a gentle smile. "Hello Molly," she said quietly.

The two eyes grew wide and Minerva could just make out a studdering sound from behind the door. "May I come in Molly? There's much me need to discuss."

Molly Weasley stood back from the door in shock, letting it fall open without complaint. Minerva took a step forward but stopped and turned. "Stay here Daniels. I want to catch up with an old friend, and I doubt conversation with flow with an unbridled ease if you're in the room." Without another look back, Minerva stepped through the portal and shut it behind her with a decisive click.

Minerva stopped just inside the doorway, trying to adjust to the dim lighting. The air was filled with te smell of potatos and dirty laundry, but the small room she found herself in had a neat but lived in appearance.

Minerva looked over at the other woman, amazed at the difference this world had made. Her auburn hair was now utterly white and dull. She had lost weight to the point of starvation. Her once loving eyes were now wary and clouded. But, as hard as she tried, Minerva couldn’t ignore the sickening green glow that covered the woman. It seemed to pulse around her only served to accentuate the deep lines that covered her features.

Minerva took a step forward and tried not to weep as Molly flinched back. Looking around the small room, Minerva lowered herself down into a rickeety chair and placed her hands in plain view. "You can't be real," Molly said accusingly as she lowered herself into another chair across the room.

"I'm very much real Molly. As to how, that is a very long story. But first, how are you, the family? What have you been doing?"

Molly looked at her warily, reminding Minerva of a cornered animal. "how do I know it's you? You could very well be a member of that crackpots fan club."

"Molly," Minerva said exasperated, but she saw the determined glint in her yes she sighed and complied. "The day after Charlie's second birthday, you managed to get your toe stuck in the bathtub faucet. It took Arthur and I almost three hours to get you free. Speaking of which,” she added in an afterthought, “did the swelling ever go down?"

Minerva grinned as Molly flushed a brillant red and ducked her head. In the next moment, Minerva found herself wrapped tightly in Molly's arm, trying to hold back her own tears as Molly's slipped down the front of her robes. “Oh Molly, what happened?” Minerva asked softly, rubbing soothing circles into the other woman’s back.

“He took it all back Minerva,” she chocked out. “We all fought for him, for what he led us to believe, and then he took it all back. Albus betrayed us all, and it cost me my husband.”

AN2: Yes, Harry and others will be making an appearance soon, so stay tuned.

[Orion's Guard]

There are just so many ways this can go. Molly obvioulsy has a lot of explaining to do, it will be quite difficult for us to see everone, so we need some stories. I especially want to see Hermione, but Hogwarts in general some more. Minerva was found there so she must go back. I don't know what to think of Dumbledore. Will we be seeing a lot of parallel time, will we see often the time from where Minerva came? I and excited for a nice long story!

[QuillofMinerva]

Oh poor Molly ***hugs her***

Wow so much has happened and there is so much to explain...fantastic. I can't help but wonder what Albus will do when he finds out that Minerva has visited Molly in the green sector.

I am really enjoying this story so keep up the great work and I look forward to reading the next chapter.

Clayre x

[Alesia]

Okay, is it alright for me to say I am glad you worked on this chapter instead of listening to your lecture?? ;D

You are handling this so well. Minerva is staying true to who she is, even in this new world, and you have continually raised the anxiety level between her and this new Albus. Wait until she gets back from the green sector.

I am not surprised to find Hermione at Hogwarts. She is either A) working for the resistance undercover or B) playing by the rules because that is what one does.

I really want to see what the new Albus is going to think of himself when he sees the bruises he left on Minerva. Surely the sight of his beloved Minerva with his hand print on her will mean something to him, we hope.

[Herzele]

Poor Molly ...
I, too, can't wait for Albus' reaction to Min's visit in the green sector ...

[angeldust]

ahhhhhhhhhhh you must update what a evil place to stop!

[palanfanaiel]

AAaaarghhh.. This is driving me insane (In a positive way ;D) I can't wait for another chapter, am sitting here starring at the computer screen, trying to bribe it to show you updated another chapter... =)

The story is sooo exciting, I absolute CRAVE for MORE!!!!

Pal

[Jessabelle]

Oh my God .. What the hell is going on? Poor Molly, poor Minerva. As I said last time I really do like the way that this story is going. Please, please update again soon.

[tayryn]

oh my... what happened to Arthur!?!?

yet another wonderful update.

can't wait for more!!

[Jaya]

DITTO!

I'm glad to see Molly... can't wait to see the others...

eagerly anticipating an update!

J

[Dewey]

Reading this was so much better than working on my English assignment! Poor Minerva, being stuck in an alternate reality. I hope her Albus finds a way to get her back to the past. -Kathy

[Sensiblyquirky]

oh dear...I just want Minerva to get back to the good Albus. Hopefully she and Molly plus Harry can come up with some idea of how to handle this Albus. Looking forward to more.

Christy

[ginger newts]

Oh, how sad! Poor Molly. I hope she's able to tell Minerva all the things she wants to know.

I thought for a moment the guard was going to be Neville...I guess it was the thing about better aim.

This remains such an interesting story, I hope you'll update again soon.

[JKMcGonagall]

This new Albus is already antsy about everything and everyone. I don't think he will take her visiting Molly in the Green section very well. I hope she can stay on his good side (if he has one).

I agree with what someone else said about Hermione. She is either playing by the rules (we all know how she feels about that) or she is working undercover for Harry.
I hope we get to Hogwarts to see her. I'll bet the smartest witch of her age and the greatest witch of the age can put their heads together and come up with a solution to the problems (both here in this world and in the real world) and get Min back to her Albus.

Update again soon, please.

Kay

[TartanPhoenix]

Albus sat alone in his dark office, only a single gutted candle provided the light he needed. The portraits had left to give him some desperately needed privacy. She was supposed to be there, they were going to meet. He looked down and stared at a single photograph held between his trembling fingers. It was in a simple silver frame, and they were dancing. It had been the Yule ball during the tournament, and she was enchanting.

He watched as they swirled together, and he sat mesmerized as she laughed at a joke he couldn’t recall. He could remember the smell of her perfume, the way she felt in his arms, even the glint in her eyes, but he could not remember the joke that brought out his favorite sound. It had taken every once of self control he could muster not to drop down on his knees in the midst of everyone and declare his undying affections.

But, he had managed, he held himself together, and cursed himself until that morning. With a simple look and a gentle kiss, his heart had sung and the world never seemed brighter. All morning he sat in his chair with an idiotic grin plastered to his face. He let the pictures of her in wedding robes, growing large with child, and the sounds of little feet and giggles ringing through his empty chambers occupy his mind. They would name the child Rebecca, or perhaps Sean if it were a boy.

By lunch time, he had already moved on to the slew of grandchildren that he could spoil before retiring home with his beautiful wife for a quiet evening. For a few blissful hours he had been content, complete, but now things are so different.

He ran his thumb along the edge of the frame, his vision obscured by the mist covering his eyes. “Where did you go Min?” he asked the photo, half expecting her top answer, her hands resting upon her hips in annoyance. But, no answer came, and he was still left alone.

A sort of numbness had taken over his system. He could still see, feel, but the sensations didn’t register. Nothing could overcome jagged pain that had taken up residence in his chest, trying to claw its way out. He had seen a muggle movie once, Spaceballs, and he half expected the small green monster to explode from him and begin to dance, top hat in hand. Albus shook his head and smiled faintly at the image.

He was just about to put the frame back in its place atop his desk when his thumb slipped, catching on the edge. “Damn,” he growled out as his thumb gave way to the sharp corner. He stared stupidly at the trail of blood that was making its way down his hand, threatening to stain his sleeve. He had smeared the picture as well when his hand pulled away.

He watched as the crimson fluid dribbled down, just covering the dancing couple. His mind desperately wanted to latch onto something, the tiniest sliver hidden in the deepest recesses of his mind. He sat fascinated as his blood gathered at the bottom of the frame at their feet, and then he looked back at his own bleeding thumb. Then, with sickening clarity, it descended upon him like the moth to a flame.

Gripping the frame tightly, he tried not to run as he made his way to the dungeons. He found Severus exactly where he thought the young man would be, brooding over a bottle of Firewhisky, much like he would have been, if he were a drinking man. Severus’ eyes were hooded, unfocused, and Albus could see the already emptied bottle sitting at his feet.

Not being able to waste another moment, Albus walked past his inebriated Potions master and into the bathroom, grabbing a hangover potion from the shelf. Forcing it down Severus’ unwilling throat, Albus all but shook him until clarity returned to the fathomless pits Severus claimed were eyes. “Albus, what in the hell,” Severus sputtered, trying to catch his bearings.

“What do you know about binding potions Severus?”

“I suppose it depends on what you would need one for.” Severus looked at the headmaster carefully, and he wasn’t pleased with what he saw.

There was a sort of madness behind the eyes that he had never seen before, and Albus’ face was flushed with what Severus wasn’t sure. Albus straightened up, pushing away from Severus forcefully.

Never letting go of the picture, Albus began to pace, turning quickly and sharply on his heels. “I don’t know if its possible..never been tried before..doubt even thought of, but if..would have to talk to Poppy..catch a grip..”

‘Yes, please do,’ Severus thought before he could stop himself. “Albus, what are you doing here?”

Severus had to brace himself from jumping as Albus spun around to face him. He was actually smiling, a bad sign given the circumstances. He began waving the picture frame in the air, letting little drops of blood fly through the air. “She fell on the time turner Severus. She broke it.”

The sheer fact that Albus seemed pleased by this worried Severus even more than the smile. The man had been in his office not two hours ago, all but sobbing into his tea, and now he was grinning like a school boy. “Headmaster,” Severus began slowly, but Albus cut him off.

“Don’t you understand Severus. I can’t believe it took me this long. She broke the tuner. She would have had to cut herself if she were holding it, wouldn’t she? There would have been blood,” he continued, holding up his own hand.

“The power of eternity mixed with the bonds of man to create a force greater than the universe itself,” Severus whispered, his eyes growing wide in understanding and excitement. “But Tarsus was never able to prove that theory,” he rebutted, even as his own curiosity began to rise.

“But, when he created the first Time Tuner, no one knew for sure if they would work at all, never mind what could actually happen if the energy was released. He was never sure what would happen if blood was added to the equation, but he took a guess.”

Realization finally dawned on Severus, and his temper rose. “You cannot be serious It’s official,” he proclaimed, jerking his arms up, “I work for the stupidest man in all of England! We’ve already lost Minerva, you can’t truly be thinking of going after her? What if you cannot hold it long enough? What if you are pulled through as well and we lose you? And, how do you know we can find the right time frame?” Severus’ eyes blazed and his chest heaved. “You cannot be that big of an idiot Albus. Use your head man; it’s just too dangerous.”

Albus pulled his hand away from his chin,
where it had landed as Severus ranted, and gestured toward him. “We Severus?” he asked, that damnable knowing glint back in his eyes.

“Yes, we headmaster. If you think I am going to sit idly by while you blow us all up, than that Gryffindor pride has finally swollen your head.” He brushed past the headmaster, moving toward the massive wall of books that dominated the room and ran his fingers along the spines. Deftly, removed a single volume and moved toward his desk, cradling the volume to his chest. “The bonding potion could work, but it has never been used for this before. There is no way to know if it will hold you here or not. Even if it could, you may only get one chance.”

“Once chance is all I will need my boy. It’s all I’ll need.” Albus leaned over Severus’ shoulder, and they began the arduous task of researching the impossible.

---

Four hours, and three pots of peppermint tea later, found Minerva securely wrapped up in front of the roaring fire back at the Ministry. She hadn’t been surprised to find a tartan dressing gown hanging over the back of an arm chair when she had walked through the door, cold and damp, but the thought had been appreciated. She still couldn’t understand, or even fathom, the stories that Molly had told her of the last few years.

Albus had decimated the Order. All of them, every member, except for Hermione Granger and Severus Snape, had tried to make him see reason when he began to change. Each of them had ended up in that sadists playground.

Uprisings within the areas were common, and Molly had lost everyone with the exception of young Ginevera to attacks, not by guards, but by other inhabitants. Several of the old Aurors had taken up the task of an informal law enforcement, but they were vastly outnumbered. But, by far, the most interesting stories were about, the now not so young, Mr. Potter.

Apparently, when it all began, Harry had gone to Dumbledore and tried to reason with the older man. He was offered a position within the new government, and Harry quickly learned that Albus didn’t much enjoy being laughed at. The duel that ensued had destroyed half of the Ministry building and left Albus with a fresh scar and Harry on the run. No one, at least none within the government, had heard or seen the young man since.

Most thought he had died, laying forgotten in a deserted field or ditch, but others knew better. It was two years ago that he began to surface again. At first, they were minor reports. A man resembling Harry was seen wandering through the streets, or darting into a shop as a patrol passed by.

Soon, those isolated reports became a running time line. He was seen at the head of a minor uprising, protesting the price of bread or milk. These quickly led to incidents of violence against the guards. More than once, a praetorian was found, unconscious and bleeding in the streets, his wand missing. The people rallied around him, just as they had before, but this time it was in defense against an utterly different kind of monster.

Minerva had asked for names, but Molly had shushed her. “Even the walls have ears,” she had whispered, her eyes darting to the door where Daniels stood watch. “But,” she added quickly, “he’s not the only one with spies. Feigning loyalty isn’t that difficult.” And that had been the end of the visit.

Minerva leaned back into the love seat, letting the heat of the fire seep into her bones, easing the weariness of the day. She let her head fall back and closed her eyes, the darkness comforting her like an old friend. She had managed to avoid Albus upon her return, somehow, but it couldn’t last. In fact, she knew morning would bring questions as he joined her for breakfast. The note pinned to her door had made that fact quite clear. She could only hope to avoid most of his wrath. If she could simply pass the trip off as a visit to a friend, perhaps he would overlook it, but she was beginning to doubt he was capable of overlooking anything.

The man was an enigma, lost within himself. He had become a cold, unfeeling, despot. He was everything she loathed and feared, but he was also something else. There were flashes, even the briefest of moments, where his eyes twinkled, or his voice softened. He would be the man he once was, but those were exception, not the rule. She only had to look at his former friends to see that.

Molly had mentioned something interesting though, almost as if in passing. Everyone he disapproved of ended up in green sector. For all the trouble the people caused him, there had never been a report of a person simply disappearing. He had never brought himself to that, and the image of his face when he confronted them still burned bright in her memory. He had been shocked, almost hurt, by their outcry; the people had wounded him, and none of them knew it. She stood, stretching, before turning toward the bedroom. She let her hand rest against the doorframe as she stopped, leaning into it for support. “Maybe,” she whispered, “maybe.” She walked into the bedroom and shut the door behind her quietly.

Just as it snapped shut, he reappeared, standing only feet from her door. His face was rife with indecision, longing battling with the urge to flee, hide in the world he had created. “Sleep well Minerva,” he whispered before disappearing once again and walking through the door and into the corridor beyond. Tomorrow they would talk, and he would have the answers he needed. He couldn’t lose her again; not again.

AN: I hope this chapter wasn't too confusing.

[Lady Jolly]

No not at all but the first part of this chapter it was BLOODY BRILLIANT!! anyways enough quoting Ronald Weasly. I love it and I hope more is coming soon!!

Lady Jolly

[QuillofMinerva]

Hmmm an interesting chapter for sure.

Harry in hiding, surely Minerva will stumble across him soon. I don't think bad Albus is as bad as he seems, I fear he is simply lost.

Hmmmm now good Albus has stumbled upon an idea....

Can't wait for more

Clayre x

[Alesia]

I almost missed this last chapter. I didn't find it confusing at all. The good Albus is going to attempt to bond himself with Minerva so he can find her across time and space. The problem will be since she is already with Albus (the bad one) how the bonding through blood will effect that.

I really really want the new Albus to see her bruise! I really think it will do something to make him see the light. or begin to. I hope Minerva is ready for him, because he is coming and I don't trust his ability to not force himself on her.