A/N: Below are the next 2 chapters of this tale. I didn’t want to leave you with a cliffhanger…so I left you with a different one. 
Please do take a minute to review ~ they are massively appreciative, and help motivate me to write a bit more.Chapter 12
Albus gathered his strength to him before his hand turned the handle, and his eyes were resting on…an all too familiar face. Ebony hair framing her porcelain complexion, as her emerald eyes blinked at him through octagonal glasses perched on the end of her nose…but the face meeting his hungry gaze was that of Morgana’s…or rather that of an aged Minerva.
Minerva, not Morgana, his mind echoed. Minerva…dear Merlin, how could I not see her for who she was? Because…I didn’t want to… “Hello, Albus.” She stated, breaking his thought process.
He let the door close behind him as he waved a silencing charm upon the room, “Hello, Minerva.”
The two eyed the other, Albus finally breaking the silence as he forced the words he had come to say from his seemingly dry mouth. “I asked Poppy to have you continue taking the aging potion, for the Minister and I would like you to remain on the team.”
Minerva’s reply was quick and without thought, the truth ringing from her words. “Your reaction to the initial information would lead me to believe the Minister is forcing you to have me continue with you, in which case, I decline.”
“You cannot decline.”
Minerva leaned forward, the sheet sliding further into her lap, “Truly?”
“If you do, the Minister has every right to send you to Azkaban.” He said drawing near.
Minerva shrugged, “So be it. At least the damnable pretense will be over, and when the reason comes to light as to why I was incarcerated, it will force the Minister to retract that stupid law.”
“Minerva…” He reached for her hand, trying to make her see his perspective…but she instantly withdrew it. “You are needed and…”
Minerva could feel the tears pooling around the edges of her eyes, “You needed me when I looked…” She brought her hand to her face, “Like this.” She shook her head, “Not when I look as I do. You have no idea what I went through to try and assist the Ministry, to assist…
you.” She could feel a tear slip down her cheek as she continued on, “And now that you know the truth, you wish to use me for my skill as an animagus. Not that of a witch…nor as that of a confidante or as a friend, let alone a lover.” She shook her head, “No.” Her jaw tightening, “I will not.” Tear filled eyes peering into his soul, “I will return to London and keep my promise to Poppy.”
“I…” He didn’t know what to say as he stared into the eyes of the woman who had captured his heart, whose words were breaking his along side hers.
“Please leave me Albus…”
He opened his mouth again, but at her steely expression, he knew it would be for naught. He turned and was about out of the room when her words cascaded over him, “Albus…” He turned his head back to look at her, “Please do take care of yourself.”
He felt himself nod, his voice barely registering his thoughts as he replied. “You too, love.” And then he was gone, the door closing on the witch’s heartache and the wizard’s tears.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Minerva clasped her small tartan bag close, “When will you be back towards London?”
Poppy could already feel the tears threatening against her eyes, “Two months would be the earliest.”
Minerva breathed a deep sigh, “I doubt I’ll be allowed to come visit.”
Poppy chuckled, “Of that I am most certain.” Her eyes darkened as she thought of the last two days and of the decisions she had been forced to make. After she had said no to Albus, the Minister herself had shown up the next morning. The Minister had come to ask Minerva to remain as an active Auror and on Albus’ team. Poppy did not know what they shared in their conversation, but Minerva had been quite withdrawn when the Minister had barreled out her room; face flushed with anger.
Poppy could still hear their conversation after the Minister’s departure.
“What did you say to the Minister?” Poppy asked stepping into the room.
Minerva’s gaze seemed to drift away but a hint of a smile curled at the corners of her face. “She did not like my answer when asked to remain.” Then Minerva’s focus snapped back to Poppy, “Do be careful Poppy, with the Ministry. They will use every angle to their advantage, never doubt that.”
“I don’t.” Poppy stated, “But what happened?”
Minerva met Poppy’s troubled brown eyes, “She asked me to remain here, on Albus’ team.”
“And?”
“I declined the offer.”
Poppy nodded, “I figured as much, but…”
“Then the Minister stated that I should choose my options carefully and began citing the laws regarding animagus transformations.”
Poppy was aghast and surprised. “Animagus? You…” And then Minerva nodded, further adding to Poppy’s surprise. “Since when?”
“Last year.”
“Who knows?”
“Just you, Albus, and apparently the Minister.”
“What did you do?”
A cat like smile spread across Minerva’s lips. “Thanked her for informing me, but as I had not mastered that skill I would be sure to inform the Ministry if I ever had need.”
“And?”
“She started the slow process of turning pink.”
Poppy chuckled, “I’m sure that wasn’t all.”
Minerva shook her head, “Definitely not. Though, it probably would have been better if it had been.”
“You aren’t going to Azkaban, are you?”
Minerva cocked an eyebrow at her friend, “No. I do believe your friend has managed to ‘one up’ the poor Minister.”
Poppy sputtered… “How? Why?”
“She tried to blackmail me into working through the rest of the war or I would spend the rest of the war in Azkaban. I merely explained to her that if were sent to Azkaban or any facility other than my home, that a packet of my exploits as Morgana and Minerva would be immediately sent to the Daily Prophet. I also informed our esteemed Minister that should she ever see fit to try and coerce me in the future that my assistance with the Ministry has been of great value, but like all appointments, voluntary. Should the laws change regarding Aurors and other Ministry officials, I would love to read about it in the Prophet.”
“Will you keep your flat in London or are you going to move back to the Highlands?”
Minerva pondered the question for a moment, “Mother has been unwell for the past several months, I may assist her at the Apothecary.”
“And your articles for Transfiguration Today?”
She smiled, pulling the bag off the bed. “I’ll continue them.”
Poppy stepped closer, pulling her dear friend into a deep hug. “I’m glad you are alright.”
Minerva returned her hug, “Please take care, Poppy.” They pulled apart, “You are far too close to the front lines.”
Poppy nodded, tears in her eyes…and then the horn sounded. Poppy immediately bolted from the room towards the front of the makeshift hospital. Minerva close on her heels, but felt her heart jump into her throat as Ian’s bloody body was lifted onto the gurney. Healers descended from everywhere, obscuring Minerva’s view of him. But he must have seen her, for pain filled words brought the flurry of activity to a halt.
“Morg…ana. NO…Morg…ana. Get aw..ay.” He was pushing the healers aside, “Must…”
Poppy reached over, grasping Minerva’s arm and pulled her threw the throng of healers. “She’s here.” Poppy stated as the healer’s hands pushed him back into the bed.
Ian blinked repeatedly at her, and it wasn’t until Minerva spoke that she was indeed Morgana that he visibly relaxed. “They…trapped.” He heaved out, a line of blood eschewing from the corner of his mouth. “Someone, told.” He took a rattling breath of air, “Need to go help.”
Minerva felt her heart jump into her throat, as she realized that Ian used the only portkey to return. Return to get help. She could feel the tears in her eyes as she drew closer to him. “Where are they, Ian?”
“Help.” He whispered as his eyes began to roll back into his head.
“IAN!” Minerva yelled, “Where are they!?”
“By the…”
“Get her out of here!” A healer snapped.
Minerva could feel hands pulling her away, “Ian, where?”
“Stonebridge.” He mumbled through a bubble of blood as she was wretched to the side.
Poppy turned her head to see Minerva’s shocked face…that became one of determination. And before Poppy could move, Minerva already had her wand out. Her glasses reflecting against the waning sunlight as she said “Portus.”
“Minerva!” Poppy yelled. “Don’t…” The rest of the sentence went unsaid as the witch in question vanished.
Chapter 13
Smoke burned against her eyes as the world solidified around her, debris littering the area as clusters of magic burned into the sky as the wizards’ battle raged on. In less than two heartbeats her eyes had fully scanned the area, two very colorful battles were en tow to the south less than 300 feet away; one to the east about 1000 feet away and the last one was less than 250 feet to the north west.
Minerva could see Lizzy’s distinct form as the witch over 1000 feet away; and though she was a highly skilled witch, she was out numbered by 3 to 1. And as much as she wanted to find and help Albus; she knew he would last far longer than Lizzy, so with wand raised and a spell on her lips; she sprang forward. Her body morphing into a cat mid step and she was sprinting across the ruined terrain in a dead run. Her tabby form blending into the ash filled air as she jumped through the twisted metal and stone rubble; eyes trained on the bolts of light and the tiring witch fending off her three attackers. Green eyes narrowing into slits as a stray curse flew towards her, ears flattened – the pads of her paws barely touching rock as she leapt through the air...ignoring the pull along her side and the burst of pain along her ribcage. The maroon light singeing the hair across her belly, no sooner had it passed - that she was already morphing back into the form of a witch. Curling into a roll, her left shoulder striking the ground as her body unfurled, wand out as her glasses glinted against the sun.
With a flick of her wand, the stray metal at her feet was flying towards two of the three wizards. Before either could move, their bodies were embodied in a veil of metal – falling to the ground, thoroughly immobilized.
The last wizard never had an opportunity to turn towards Minerva, his focus momentarily lost, and Lizzy’s hex paralyzing him. Minerva and Lizzy spinning towards the other, wands still drawn.
“Where did you come from? And what are you doing here?” Lizzy let out a haggard breathe as she absently reached up with her left arm to wipe the sweat and blood from her forehead.
Minerva met her friend’s tired gaze, “Ian returned, inferred you were ambushed.”
Lizzy nodded still slightly breathless. “He’s alive?”
Minerva nodded, “He is not well, what of James?”
“James was an agent for Grindlewald.”
Minerva grabbed the elder witch’s upper arm, “James?”
“He set up…he set us up.”
Minerva’s head spun around to the other three areas where there was still a wizards’ duel. “What of Briana’s and Arthur’s teams?”
Lizzy shook her head, “I don’t know…we broke apart to try and give everyone a chance.”
“Here.” Minerva reached into her robes, fingers finding the top of a sleek oblong potion. “Take this, make your way pass the anti-apparation wards. They will not be expecting an elderly woman.” She finished, thrusting one of her aging potions into Lizzy’s hand.
“I’ll help…”
Minerva shook her head, “James gave them the information as to who was on the team Lizzy. I assure you it included all 3 teams’ physical appearances. I would not have been included as, I was not on the team and I have other methods of making my way back to camp.” Lizzy gave her a dubious look. “Go.” Minerva said, nodding towards the back wall. “Take it and make your way along the back of the city. Transfigure your clothes…and go.”
“I don’t know where you came from Minerva,” She pulled the top off and took a deep swallow. “But I am very glad you did.”
Minerva allowed herself a small smile, “You’ll owe me a drink back at camp.”
Lizzy could feel her body modifying, “There will be a whole bottle waiting for your arrival.”
Minerva nodded as she watched her friend’s deep brown hair began graying, wrinkles forming along her eyes, cheeks becoming fuller – until she was looked like an elderly woman who appeared as though she were a muggle in her mid-sixties. Minerva flipped her wrist, and Lizzy’s robes morphed into a murky white shirt and a tan skirt. “Now go.”
Lizzy nodded but grabbed Minerva’s arm before stepping away. Her eyes drilling into the younger woman’s, “Be careful. I’ll never forgive myself if you don’t come back too.”
Minerva brought her hand up, gently squeezed Lizzy’s before pulling her hand off. “I’ll be careful. Now go.” Minerva waited a mere hair’s breathe until Lizzy turned away, before morphing back into her animagus form and was sprinting back into the melee.
As she neared, she could hear the spells blasting apart the rock and earth as they missed their intended targets and the horrid stench of burnt flesh. She rounded a fallen pillar and felt her body draw to a halt at the sight of the burnt wizard, her mind registering the blackened lettering on his traveling cloak. Lionel Longbottom, a member of Arthur’s team and a father of one of her classmates. A loud shriek pulled her mind back to the task at hand, and her paws quickly began traversing the shattered terrain.
She leapt onto a muggle vehicle, eyes narrowing against the light and soot. Three silhouettes’ battling in two wizard duels against nine others. Her heart dropping as she realized that none of the wizards’ were Albus, but as one wizard’s shield charm splintered Minerva jumped forward. Her mind already forming the words to a spell as her body transformed into a witch, and as her feet touched the ground – several spells were already zooming towards their targets.
One witch fell to a body binding spell that could only be removed by the caster, one wizard had been able to conjure a shield charm but only after a half dozen or more arrowheads had struck his body, blood oozing down his tan robes. Minerva quickly settled off to the western edge, pulling wizards and witches from both clusters of the duels. Leaving Edward with only two wizards, one whom she had just injured. Whereas, Winifred and Nigel were left with three attackers, however, they both appeared barely able to lift their respective wands. Minerva paid neither group another moment of thought, as she turned her attention to the two witches and wizard who were rapidly casting spells at her.
In one deft move, she lifted a shield charm while catching a string of fire being thrust at her. She didn’t even think as she took the witch’s weak spell and made it her own, charming the fire to use the ash as fuel while transfiguring the stream into a raging basilisk.
No sooner had she returned that spell towards the witch, that her shield buckled from the other witch’s and wizard’s onslaught. With a flick of her wand, she pulled the chunks of rocks to her, and then they were whizzing by, transfiguring into dozens of canon size boulders.
The witch was not able to get out of the way, her body crumbling as the rocks crashed into her, the wizard was struck by one throwing him off balance. And Minerva never gave him the opportunity to right himself as she bound his body with a simple, yet powerful spell.
Wand raised, she spun around in time to deflect an errant spell and quickly crafted the puddle of water next to her into a wall of water separating Edward from his attackers. The water swirled into a globe around the other two wizards, which Edward swished his wand and the water froze in an instant sealing them away.
Edward momentarily eyed the witch before him, silently wondering where she had come from and who she was. But his attention was quickly averted to assisting the last duelists – Winifred and Nigel as an explosion rocked the area.
Curses and hexes were flying faster than the eye could see through the smoke, and as Minerva joined in, she saw Winifred’s bloody body sliding down the grimy column. “No.” She whispered as she redoubled her efforts to assist Nigel against the three attackers. Her efforts were rewarded as one was felled with her spell, and then Edward’s spells joined the fray and in under a minute the last two opponents became immobilized.
Neither Nigel or Edward skipped a beat, turning towards Minerva, wands still out. “Who are you?” Edward rasped.
“McGonagall.” She curtly replied, unwilling to divulge her first name.
Uneasily, they both dropped their arms, Edward and Nigel exchanging a silent look before Nigel dropped behind them and checked for a pulse on Winifred.
“Dumbledore said you would not be assisting, due to Ministry complications.” Edward stated as he appraised the young witch before him.
“I received a message from Ian.”
“He made it then?” Nigel said as he rejoined them, shaking his head towards the witch.
Minerva’s eyes darted to Winifred, “We need to take her body back.”
At this both men gave a deep sigh, “Under orders, mission first.”
“Well, I’m not.” She said, stepping around them and then waved her wand to transfigure and then shrink the body of the witch into a small log. She then pointed her wand at a chunk of rock, which gave way into a satchel where she carefully placed the log before slinging it over her shoulder. “Now, where are the rest of team members?”
Both men gave her a grave look, “We saw a duel to the south…”
“That would have been Lizzy,” Minerva finished. “She is already making her way back. What of the rest?”
They shook their heads, Edward finally speaking. “We are it.”
Minerva felt her stomach turn, “And what of Albus, Arthur and Briana?”
“They broke from all of us straight away and began heading towards the museum.”
Minerva slipped the bag off her shoulder and thrust it into Edward’s chest. “Here.” She snapped, her Scottish brogue becoming thick. “Gather as many of your team members as you can within the next five minutes and then make your way past the anti-apparition wards.”
They opened their mouths to argue, but one look at the angry witch before them caused their mouths to snap close. “Your mission is over, get these men and woman home and give their families a semblance of closure.”
“But what of…”
“Go.” She snapped her green robes already billowing around her as her eyes scanned for landmarks from the mission plans.
“When Lizzy said you are a witch to be reckoned with…” Nigel let the words die in the air.
“I shall see you upon my return over a bottle that Lizzy is already procuring.”
Their faces lit up at the notion, “We’ll see if we can’t find another bottle or two along the way.”
“Be careful.” Minerva stated, as she began picking her way through the debris field trying to patiently wait for them to turn away as her mind began to create worse case scenarios for Albus.
“You too.” They chimed.
Minerva saw their bodies turn away in the light, and before they could turn back around, a small tabby cat could be seen tearing across the wreckage. After five minutes, Minerva had to drop into a jog, her limbs feeling the fatigue from not having had this strenuous of a workout, ever.
She could smell a fresh battle, one that had ended within the past fifteen minutes. Carefully, she peeked her head around the recently crushed brick wall to see Arthur’s broken body. Her emerald eyes scanned down the wall, to see a flash of light followed by an ear splitting scream resonating off the brick. Taking a deep breath, Minerva headed toward the duel.
As her paws came to a halt atop the slate steps, her heart ached as she saw the weary man before her. His dark midnight blue robes were littered with scorch marks, blood, holes and who knew what else. His arms had just finished making a wide arcing motion, an electrical surge pulsing towards four wizards to his left as his shield charm buckled against the two wizards and a witch to his right.
Minerva felt her hair stand on end, fangs out as she hissed at the group on the right as another wave of spells struck his faltering shield charm. She forced herself to scan the breadth of the building, to find out why Albus would choose to battle in such an undefensible position…
unless this was what was left of the museum. Her eyes could see bolts of colors lighting up the windows at the far end…
Brianna or another team member must be inside…and she needed no further encouragement as she sprang forward.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxox
Albus felt a fire burn along his side, and knew the protego charm had faltered. His head snapped to the right, side catching as he did, his wand following suite as he created an arc…causing the spell to flow over him, and was now hurling towards the wizards opposite of him.
Then he saw her…
His heart involuntarily leaping into his throat, as a grey streaked tabby cat was darting across the carnage towards the corner of the steps.
How did she get here? Why was she here…and then he realized that she was going inside…
Fawkes’ penetrating shrill call snapped Albus to the immediate task at hand, staying alive. He threw a handful of curses to his right…blue eyes straying for but a moment more, noticing her tail disappear through the door before bringing his full attention back to the battle.
He didn’t have time to be thinking of the woman…girl…no, he corrected himself again,
woman who had placed herself in harms way, again. He ducked, the fringe of his hat crackling as the stream of fire singed the tip.
The woman whom he loved... “Merlin help me…” He muttered, as he spun the fire into glass…as worried blue eyes darted to the creaking building behind him, his heart aching for him to join her…as his brain stayed his feet, to hold off the throng of attackers enabling both Briana and now Minerva a chance to garner the final whereabouts of Grindlewald...but what would the cost be? It had already cost thirteen wizards and witches lives…and quite possibly Brianna’s…and now…Minerva’s…
The thought hung in his heart and his mind as he turned towards the left, his wand flicking in the air…his magic coalescing around him, crackling…until it deafened all other noise…before it pulsed outward, creating a large ball of an explosion…everyone around him flew backwards…his own body collapsing upon himself as he dropped to his knee from the sudden fatigue…blackness swirling along his peripheral vision as he forced his eyes to focus. Blue orbs narrowed against the now offending light, his breathing labored as he forced his body to remain alert. His torso shaking from the magical energy expense as he unsteadily brought up his wand arm...his hand shaking against the light breeze as he forced his mind to remain conscious as he maintained the perimeter while he waited…for either witches’ return, but his heart yearned for one witch in particular.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Minerva could hear a mocking laugh echoing off the brick walls as she slid to a stop…her mouth open as her ears perked upwards trying to determine which hall to run down…when a loud crash sounded, and dust came flying towards her. Legs straining against her nails as she sought to find footing, her paws sliding along the smooth floor as she scampered forward…nails scrapping along and as she turned the corner, she felt her back legs slide until her back skid to a hard stop against the wall, and she was already moving, propelling herself towards the scarlet robbed witch. As Minerva neared, Brianna’s fatigue was obvious as she stumbled forward, her graying hair laden with sweat, golden brown eyes staring bleakly and yet with fierce determination into the room with her wand pointed at who knew how many foes.
“Despite your valiant efforts, there are still four of us Bree, you
will not win.” A thick male voice crooned, “And if by some miracle you leave here, you will still have to get through our reinforcements which will have overthrown both Arthur and even the mighty Dumbledore by now.”
Brianna tightened her hold on her wand as she took another step forward, willing herself to remain focused on the task at hand as James continued to taunt her.
“And before long, you will join your precious team in death…”
“Then why do you not attack, James?” She asked, eyes drilling through the young wizard as she sought any and all useful objects in her periphery that would be able to assist her in not only staying alive, but to potentially enable her to overcome the odds she faced. “I can still hear at least one wizard staving off your hoard, so…” She threw a shield charm up to deflect the spell from the man to James’ left. “It seems that your,” She narrowed her eyes…augmenting her search for his word, “Perceived exercise in futility has only begun.” She threw a binding spell towards them which they deflected.
“You
won’t win.” He spat out.
Minerva morphed into her human form, choosing that moment to step around the corner…and join Brianna…her long black hair cascading behind her as her emerald robes flared outwards, wand pointing toward the four wizards. “Perhaps alone, she would not of. But I believe that has been rectified.”
Brianna saw the woman enter the room, and for one dreadful moment, she had believed that another witch had slipped past Albus and Arthur; adding to their defense. But as the emerald clad witch spoke, relief swelled through Brianna…and she managed a cursory glance to her right…and realized the witch was none other than Morgana McGonagall. The hows, whys and any and all other questions would have to wait…for afterwards…
“I thought…” James stammered, wand becoming jittery. “You were injured…” His eyes narrowed as they traveled across her body…and despite everything, he was right. She was injured…and despite the impassive face, the erect posture…she was sure the underlying pain still was in her movements…as it still ached to move and the last twenty minutes had done nothing to help. Quite the opposite, she thought as she meet his gaze with her steely emerald one. She was in pain. Her head was hammering behind her eyes…and she was forced to take several small, rapid breaths…as her lungs still hurt too much for a deep one. “You are still injured…” He flipped his wrist…and the battle ensued.
Minerva wasted no time, flinging hexes and binding spells at the four wizards as both James and one other came at her. “You are a fool to have come.” James stated as a pile of rope dissolved into five poisonous asps.
Minerva jumped back as the one snapped at her ankle, while deflecting a crucio curse.
“Only fools believe in death as the path of life.” She retorted, as she accio’d the loose glass to her…before propelling it towards the two wizards. Her gaze returning to her slithering friends, which she swirled upwards…and almost lazily tossed the reptiles toward the two wizards combating Brianna. Their shriek was lost as the room filled with a deep bone chilling hum to all…save Minerva.
The hum was like a forgotten music; resonating through her weary body as a cooling salve after a day in the hot sun. Then it shattered…an electrical surge pulsed through the weary building…down the halls…consuming all sound as it enveloped the room with the 2 witches and what remained of the 4 wizards – dropping the latter to the ground.
Minerva and Brianna reacted before the pulse had gone through the other side…binding spells shooting from their wands at their opponents. Minerva forced the notion from her mind as to what would have caused that large of a magical discharge…though, she already knew – Albus. The very thought caused her hand to become unsteady as she approached the now petrified wizards. They lay staring to the ceiling, eyes as large as saucers…Minerva pulled out her tracers…activated them, before dropping one on each of the men, pausing at James. Her Gaelic heritage evident as she spoke, “If I did not value life so; yours would have been taken in a heartbeat. Instead…” She tucked the tracer back into her jacket. She raised her wand…Brianna’s hand curling around Morgana’s arm.
“He’s not worth it. Let the Ministry have him.”
Morgana stared down at James…hatred filling her veins at what he had done, and the lives he had taken. “I believe…even you will find my motives just, Brianna.”
At that Brianna removed her hand…as Minerva turned her full attention back to the wizard whose very eyes seemed to be shaking. “Both spells will wear off in eighteen hours, James. Oh…and we’ll be sure to file in our reports how assistive you were.” And then she transfigured him into a piece of lumber…
Brianna couldn’t stop the small grin from curling along her lip, “Grindlewald will believe he was double crossed.”
Morgana nodded as she reached into her robes…pulling the tracer out again and with a sigh turning it on. “That’s what I want him to believe until he is retrieved.” With that, she tossed the tracer onto the wood…wanting for a moment to be a witch who could so willingly cast the killing curse without care; but she would not become what she fought. With tears in her eyes at how much she had already lost to this forsaken war, she turned on her heel; Brianna was already rummaging through the area…
“Where are the damnable coordinates?” She breathed as another pile of papers fluttered to the floor.
Minerva began her own quest, finding little save for muggle troop movements.
“What news of Arthur and Albus?” Brianna asked as she rolled the cherry wood back on the old roll top desk.
“Only Albus was at the entrance.”
“Merlin, no.” She breathed, voice strained as she finished. “Not Arthur.”
“And Albus looked the worse for ware.”
Brianna was dumping her second drawer as she asked, “How many?”
“At least eight, if not more.” Minerva stated…her eyes narrowing as gazed at the
silver globe atop the wooden filing cabinet. Minerva glanced to Brianna who was getting ready to pull out a third drawer, as she replied. “He will not be able to hold so many for long, alone.” Minerva didn’t take the time to reply as she returned her focus to the silver globe…
She focused on her animagus self…transforming her eyes…and only her eyes, and she could feel the shift and the perceptual difference as the rich vibrant colors her human eyes could see began to wash away, as being stripped from the world. But the silver globe glowed in a blue-white light, indicating it was indeed a charmed magical object.
As she reached her hand out, her vision snapped back into focus as she called. “I believe this is what we are looking for.”
The contents in Brianna’s hand fell to the floor, eyes traveling to see what Morgana was speaking about. “It looks to be a globe…are you sure?”
Minerva placed the globe in the palm of her hand as Brianna neared. “Show me Grindlewald’s location.”
The globe remained motionless.
“Try it with your wand.” Brianna stated.
Minerva repeated the statement as she tapped the globe with her wand…a bright flash ensued and then globe was falling to ground; its bearer gone.
Xoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Brianna summoned the globe into her hand before it clattered to the floor, her heart hammering in her chest at what had just happened to the formidable witch, Morgana McGonagall. She was probably opening her eyes…into those of Grindlewald’s personal detail.
Pushing the thought aside, she shrunk the object and dropped it into her robes before rushing towards the entrance – her weary feet making short work of the long hallways…until she was bursting through the door, her wand out; eyes squinting against the light as she turned to the other person still standing, or rather leaning, heavily upon the wall for support.
“Albus!” She ran towards him. He looked like death warmed over…she could see the tremors racking his body as she neared, scorch marks and dried blood littering his once pristine robes, auburn hair burnt and matted to his head, but his eyes…the look in his deep blue eyes took her breath away.
“Where’s Mine…Morgana?” He rasped eyes still scanning the doorway for Minerva as Brianna placed his arm around her shoulders, supporting him.
“She’s gone…”
“N..o..” He tried to wretch his arm from her grasp, but there wasn’t enough strength in him to complete his wish, for as he pulled away from Bree, his body fell despite his heart’s desire to run headlong back the way Bree had just come. He felt his chest constricting as Bree’s hands slipped beneath his arm, helping him back to his feet. But he couldn’t go. Not without her.
Dear Merlin…I was a fool…to let her go, and now…he could feel his eyes glassing over as the tears spilled onto his cheeks.
“Albus! We must go!” Brianna stated, “Where’s the portkey?”
“Not without her body.” His steely voice, stilling Brianna’s movements.
Brianna turned her head to the powerful wizard, “She not dead, at least not yet. She was transported to Grindlewald’s encampment. We need to go.”
Her words were like someone had flipped a switch in his body,
She was alive. “What are the coordinates?”
“Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore…what is with…” Then she saw it, his love for the woman who had just been stolen away from him. His usually guarded expression was gone…and his love was there, in the open…for all the world to see, and her heart broke for him. She had known Albus for decades and not once during that time had a witch ensnared the great wizard, let alone him falling for her. “You don’t have the strength to go after her, Albus.”
In his heart, Albus knew her words were true…but…to leave her to Gellert…he closed his eyes, tears dripping down his lashes as his broken voice shattered her soul. “I don’t care, let me go Bree.”
“God forgive me, Albus,…” Her tear filled voice responded, “But I can’t.” She slipped her hand into his pocket…and felt the familiar star that had been set charmed into a portkey. “Home.” She whispered as she wrapped her arms around the broken wizard…the tug upon their navel, and then they were gone.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The alarms sounded…and Poppy jolted into action, dreading what she would find. There, standing with her arms around her old transfiguration professor was Brianna Bolthouse, one of the greatest aurors of their time. Neither appeared to be well; but considering what information they had already garnered, it was amazing the two had returned. As Poppy neared the two, she stifled her own worries about where Minerva was. She was probably going to make a grand entrance in another moment…
And then her eyes met Albus’…and she felt her knees go weak as bile rose up into her throat. For something was very wrong…and then she heard his voice…flat, almost unhinged, “I am sorry Poppy.”
Tears were in his crystalline blue eyes…matching the ones in hers. “No.” Poppy whispered, her head shaking at the notion of her best friend, dead. She had known it was a possibility…but the truth was, she believed in Minerva. Believed that not only Minerva would find a way to return…but do so in that typical Gryffindor flare of hers.
Then all thought of Minerva was driven from her head as both the witch and wizard collapsed…
A/N: I never said it wasn’t an evil cliffhanger that I was still leaving you with…just a different one. Hope you are still enjoying; please let me know.
Excellent! I am so glad, Minerva has such wonderful friends.. 
