Trials and Tribulations; Tale of a Tortured Tabby

[KayleeTonksLupin]

**A/N: Okay, this is, you guessed it, mainly centered on Min. Sixteen-year-old Min at the beginning, summer between sixth and seventh year. I decided Riddle was a year older than her, and so he's gone, thank Merlin. The Prologue is Albus-centered, sorry about that, with the title and everything, and this is pretty much pre-AD/MM for a while. Basically co-written with Nerweniel, except the Prologue. Okay, shutting up. On with the story...and I ought to mention, in case you can't tell from the title, it gets graphic...*headdesk* And the first time I posted, I forgot the disclaimer. You all know, I hope, that I am NOT JKR. Min, Albus, Tom Riddle, Poppy Pomfrey, (Sylvia) Sprout and (Rolanda) Hooch belong to her. Minerva's brother and sisters belong to me, though I might have been influenced about their names...I DID name the youngest after Tabby Bee. *waves to Tabby Bee* LOL.**

Prologue: Albus Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore was sitting alone in his office, wondering how his star student was faring. She was Gryffindor Prefect these past two years, and was to be Head Girl in September...the letter was ready, he might as well owl it soon. But there was a nagging voice in the back of his mind, an uncertain feeling that Minerva was not doing so well at home...If only he knew.
"What about last year?" a voice whispered in his mind. Yes, last year, when Tom Riddle had been Head Boy. That had been an...unpleasant situation. He never did figure out what exactly had occurred, but the result of SOME encounter between Riddle and Minerva had the Slytherins and Gryffindors feuding for months, worse than he had ever seen in his career as a teacher. Something had gone badly wrong.
He let his mind drift back to that night, when Minerva was leaving after an Animagus training session. He had seen Riddle waiting for Minerva. That was not unusual; Riddle was ALWAYS waiting for Minerva, and the entire school buzzed with rumors about the standing of their relationship. He wondered about it himself. What WAS going on between the two?
But, later, after midnight, he had heard the sound of a cat running down the corridors. He was in his office correcting papers, as he was now, and he opened the door to allow the sleek silver tabby entrance. As she transformed back into Minerva McGonagall, she caught her breath. "Professor...Professor, he..." But she would say no more. It apparently had something to do with Tom Riddle...
After all, she had been avoiding Riddle like the plague after that day. This was extremely odd, even given the relationship between their Houses. Well, Albus, he said to himself, Riddle's gone, and Minerva will be back, alone. Alone...

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Part One: Tabby and her Mother

What he did NOT know was how alone Minerva could truly be. Right now, at two in the morning, sixteen-year-old Minerva Renee McGonagall sat at her writing desk, clad in her tartan robe and nightgown, writing a novel busily. She had gotten this idea from Poppy Pomfrey, a Muggle-born in Ravenclaw and one of her best friends. Her parents were displeased that her friend was Muggle-born.
But that never stopped Minerva. She had been in shock when, just over a year ago, Poppy had been Petrified. Her other friends, Sylvia Sprout and Rolanda Hooch, had felt just as helpless and terrified that year as Minerva had. And when her parents found out about the Petrified students, they had been pleased. They were glad that "Mudbloods" were being attacked.
As her thoughts drifted, Minerva only vaguely took note of the time. She was aware that she should have been asleep by ten-thirty, but she did not care...this chapter was important, more important than sleep. She wanted to finish the novel to show Poppy in September.
Just then, the solid oak door of Minerva's room flew open. Framed in the doorway was the figure of Mrs. McGonagall, and she was livid. Shaking with rage, she walked over to the writing desk and picked up the sheets of parchment covered in Minerva's neat handwriting.
“What is this rubbish, Minerva Renee?” she screeched. “Is it some nonsense you’ve picked up from that Mudblood friend of yours, that Pomfrey girl? I can see it’s not your summer homework. And why are you still up at this hour? Go to bed! You should have been in bed hours ago!”
“But…Màthair, I wanted to finish this before school begins…I’m on Chapter Sixteen, it’s very important!” Minerva protested. But it did her no good. Mrs. McGonagall let out a scream of rage and started ripping the parchment to shreds. Minerva stared, helpless, as her work was destroyed.
“Màthair! Please, no, stop, I implore you!” Minerva’s insistence only got her a hard smack across the face and she stumbled backward as her mother smiled triumphantly. Minerva glared back. She would not let her parents win her over. Her youngest sister, Diana, crouched at Minerva’s feet, quivering.
“Minerva Renee McGonagall, WHAT DID I TELL YOU??” Mrs. McGonagall screamed. Minerva sighed. “Màthair, I HAVE A NOVEL TO WRITE!” she shouted. Mrs. McGonagall stared at her daughter, crimson with fury. “Don't you take that tone with me, Minerva!” she shouted.
Minerva looked earnestly into her mother’s cold jade eyes. “Màthair, I am really really writing a novel, and chapter nineteen is a hard one, so please, PLEASE...” she begged.
“Why must you CONSTANTLY defy me, Minerva?! Your sisters and brothers NEVER give me this sort of trouble! With one possible exception...” Mrs. McGonagall glared at five-year-old Diana, who backed away. Minerva sighed again. “Màthair, perhaps because I am trying to make something out of my life, while they are simply THROWING IT AWAY! AND FOR WHAT? FOR NOTHING!”
“All right, that's it. I've had enough, Minerva Renee!” Mrs. McGonagall grabbed Minerva's arm.” We're going to see your father...” Diana gasped and Minerva began to sob. “N- not Athair... màthair, please, he'll kill me!” Mrs. McGonagall shook Minerva’s hands off her arm. “He won't kill you, Minerva. He would never kill you...but we don't allow defiance in this household. You have crossed the line once too many.”
Minerva was appalled. “ Màthair, what have I done wrong?? EXCEPT FOR NOT BEING A DEATH EATER!”
Mrs. McGonagall reached forward and grasped her daughter’s shoulders firmly. “DON’T YOU RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ME, MINERVA RENEE!” she shouted. Minerva was undaunted. “DON’T YOU RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ME!” she said back, then continued, “Màthair, I am sixteen! Don’t expect me to admire and follow EVERYTHING YOU DO!” Mrs. McGonagall took several deep breaths.
“You are sixteen, Daughter, and you will do as is expected of a young lady of your station. A McGonagall, a pureblood; you will shame us no longer, Minerva Renee. We’ll make you see. If you insist on being childish, you will be treated like a child.” Minerva shuddered involuntarily, but her voice was steady as she answered, “I am not childish, màthair, but you and athair... I mean, I cannot believe in your ideals... MY BEST FRIEND IS A MUGGLEBORN!”
“Exactly, Minerva! The shame, the filth…how dare you! Your father and I will make you see.” Mrs. McGonagall dragged Minerva down the hall to the master bedroom, and knocked on the door. Mr. McGonagall opened it, and he scowled when he saw his eldest daughter held in his wife’s grip. “What has she done now?”
“I did NOTHING, Athair!” Minerva cried.

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Part Two: Tabby, her siblings, and Athair

Mrs. McGonagall had a quiet talk with her husband for a few minutes, and when he turned back to his daughter, his scowl was more pronounced than ever. “Your màthair tells me you persist in associating with Mudbloods…” Minerva stared at him defiantly. “Yes, Athair, I do. So my best friends are “Mudbloods”…so?” Mr. McGonagall scowled even more.
“We’ll make a proper McGonagall out of you yet, Daughter, whatever methods we must use,” her mother said. Just then, Diana opened the door, and ran into the room, standing between her Athair and Minerva.
"Màthair, Athair, I WON'T LET YOU!" the five-year-old said bravely. "Take me, but don't hurt Minnie...she's my sister!" Mrs. McGonagall moved toward Diana, but her husband's hand on her shoulder stopped her. Minerva knelt down by her sister.
"Diana, don't be silly," she whispered. "Athair would punish me in any case. No matter what. I don't want you to see this...please, just leave...I love you, Di." She kissed Diana's forehead, and stood up, looking resignedly at her father. Mrs. McGonagall carried Diana out of the room, both parents not seeing the tall figure of Duncan McGonagall, their eldest son, crouched in the shadows.
Mr. McGonagall beckoned to Minerva, and he pushed open a sliding panel in the wall, revealing a secret chamber. The room was all too familiar to Minerva, but every time she entered it, she looked around with a sort of horrified wonder, trying to think of how many times she'd been in here. She knew that her elder brother, Duncan, and next-youngest sister, Selene, had each been in here once before succumbing to their parents' wishes. Minerva was not so easily defeated. She had been here more than all her siblings combined.
The room was plain, with whitewashed walls and a single hard cot in the corner. This had one thin pillow and a ragged blanket on it, and both were dotted with dark red stains. The only thing on the walls, besides a small, barred window, was a birch rod hanging on a hook. Minerva faced the impending "discipline" her athair would inflict without fear, as she knew what was coming. She had closed her eyes to the pain long ago.
Still, she did not want her father to think that this pain was *acceptable* to her. So she turned to him, and said, "Athair, please, you have to understand that Grindelwald is wrong...evil is wrong, I know you are not stupid, Athair." He merely sneered.
"And *you* must understand, Daughter, that I do not *wish* to do this, but if it is the only way to make you see..." He took down the birch rod from the wall. Staring at it without flinching, Minerva whispered, "I am not afraid of you, Athair."
As Mr. McGonagall's sneer became more pronounced, the shadowy figure sprang forward. Duncan McGonagall placed himself between his sister and father, the way Diana had done earlier.
"Athair, please, I can make Minnie see that you're right. Please, don't beat her." His voice rang with sincerity and love for his sister, and his forest-green eyes sparkled with unshed tears, pleading for Minerva to be unhurt. But their father remained unmoved. He merely grabbed his nineteen-year-old son by the throat, and pushed him out of the room. Duncan landed hard on his side, and got up, massaging his throat and hip. Minerva shook her head. How like Duncan.
"Daughter, you know what is expected of you," Athair said firmly, pointing to the bed as he picked up the rod once more. Minerva nodded mutely. She slipped off her thick tartan robe, leaving her shivering in her thin nightgown, and lay down obediently on the hard mattress. As the first blow descended, Minerva stuffed the edge of the thin pillow in her mouth. *I will NOT scream*, she chanted silently. It was her mantra during her father's "sessions". She would not give Athair the satisfaction of hearing her cry out. Again and again, the birch rod struck her back, till her nightgown was soaked with blood and she was nearly unconscious from the pain. Still, she would not give in. She would never give in. Mr. McGonagall gave up, hanging the rod up for now. He turned away, not caring enough to tend to his daughter's severe wounds.
"You may have won the battle, Daughter. But you haven't won the war."
"No...Athair...maybe I haven't...but you will not...win. Evil...will...never...succeed..." Minerva choked out the words, and the world was spinning around her. Then she was plunged into darkness.

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Part Three: Healing and Plans

When Minerva awoke, she felt something rubbing her bare back. It hurt, oh Merlin, she wanted to scream…but she didn’t, instead she tried to look up. ”Don’t move,, Piuthar, it’s only us,” soothed Duncan. “Just me and Selene.” Minerva thought hard. “Why are you doing this for me? Healing me? I know you two believe in Athair’s ideas…” Duncan laughed softly. “Minerva, piuthar, it’s not that. We have different minds, I know. But the same heart’s blood runs through our veins. We are family, Minnie.”
“Oh, I see, Duncan.” Minerva sighed. “But won’t you ever change your mind, maybe? I don’t want you to be my enemy.” Duncan smiled. “Piuthar, if we must fight in the war, on opposite sides, rest assured that *I* will not be the one to fire curses at you. Not I. Family ties are stronger than sides in the war. I can’t protect you openly, Minnie, because they would see it as being a traitor, but I will be in your heart. Always, Minnie.” Selene stroked her elder sister’s hair. “Minnie, you know I love you. I care for you. Though I think you’re wrong about Grindelwald, I think Athair is wrong in his methods of getting you to change your mind.” Selene stood deep in thought, and whispered to Duncan, as the two continued to wash away the blood and rub healing salves and potions into the wounds on Minerva’s back. Duncan straightened up, and nodded to Selene. “I think it will work, Lene. I just have to make sure she stays quiet.”
Minerva was confused. What had they been discussing? Duncan left the room silently, and came back about fifteen minutes later, carrying Diana. Minerva bit her tongue to keep from crying out at the look of anguish on her youngest sister’s face. Diana nearly did scream, but Duncan clapped his hand over her mouth to keep Athair from hearing. “Shh, Di.” he whispered. “Athair might hear.” Diana closed her mouth and was still. Selene whispered their plan to her two sisters.
“Minnie, Di, Duncan and I decided we needed to get you both out of here. It’s no use in you staying and getting beaten at least twice a week, Minnie. And Diana will be easy prey for Athair and Màthair if you leave alone.” Duncan nodded.
“And it’s not as if we won’t see each other at school, Minnie,” Selene continued. Minerva nodded into the pillow as Selene bandaged her back. “I’ll send owls every other day, Minnie,” Duncan promised. Diana whispered, “Where can we go?” Selene smiled. “That’s up to Minerva,” she said. One face came to Minerva’s mind almost instantly.
“Professor Dumbledore, Selene,” she said. “We’ll be safe with him.” Selene smiled and nodded. “The handsome Transfiguration Professor? I know you’ve been getting private Animagus lessons from him.” Minerva blushed. “Yes, well, piuthar, he DID say I was very good…I can transform now, though I’m not of age to do it outside school.” Selene grinned. “October, Minnie, October. You will be then.” Minerva smiled for the first time since she regained consciousness. That would be a day to look forward to. October 4th, her seventeenth birthday.

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Part Four: Minerva's Musings
Selene turned to her older brother. “You do the Portkey, Duncan. We’re not old enough to Apparate or use magic outside Hogwarts.” He nodded, taking the birch rod down from the wall. “Excellent Portkey,” he said. “And Athair won’t have it again.” Minerva flinched when her brother removed the rod, and Selene touched her hand comfortingly.
“We’ll use it as evidence, Minnie.” she whispered. “Professor Dumbledore will want to know.” Her green eyes flashed with anger as she thought of the cruel way her Athair had treated Minerva. “It’s all over now, Piuthar. And I’ll see you at school, you know.” Minerva shook her head.
“What will the Gryffindors say about a Slytherin prefect walking over to the Gryffindor table?” she asked, squeezing Selene’s hand. Selene shook her head and tossed her chocolate-brown braid over her shoulder disdainfully. “They’ll do what I say. I’m the sixth-year Prefect. Only the Head Girl and Boy have more power over them in the school, and the Head of House, Professor Malfoy.” Minerva nodded. “Piuthar, who IS the Head Girl?” she asked. Selene looked back at her eldest sister. “That’s funny, I was positive you were, Minnie. No letter yet? And I haven’t received my school list, either. Hmm…”
Minerva stared ahead of her, pensive. Who was the Head Girl? Who was the Head Boy? Strangely enough, she wasn’t sure she cared. If it wasn’t her, she didn’t care anymore. Maybe Professor Dippet thought she didn’t deserve the badge. Maybe even Professor Dumbledore couldn’t put in a good word for her. It was too much to bear…she wondered to herself, what would have happened if Rubeus Hagrid hadn’t been expelled? Maybe he would have been Prefect next year? She almost laughed, but she felt ashamed. Rubeus was a fellow Gryffindor, and a good friend. She could not believe he was the Heir of Slytherin, no matter how much people believed that. No, she was certain it had to be a Slytherin. Maybe even Riddle. Perfect, she thought to herself. Riddle, a half-blood Slytherin, the Heir. It would make the Founder turn over in his grave.

[Tabby Bee]

Bravi! Bravi! Ma souer, you are quite the writer! ;D *waves back at Kaylee* ;D



Crazy. Wacko.

-Di

[AltraPalantir]

I'm not usually terribly fond of fics where people get randomly beaten, but this is really intriguing...... I want to see what happens next. Please write me another chapter! (Or you can just write it for everybody, that works too...... I'm not particular.) Minerva and her sister are going to LIVE with Albus? Won't that go over like a lead balloon all around?

[QuillofMinerva]

oh i dont like the thought of people suffering abuse but this story is intriguing and I look forward to an update

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Part Five: Telling Albus

"Portus," Duncan whispered, tapping his wand on the rod. Minerva, Diana, Selene, and Duncan all grabbed hold of it, and disappeared from the room.
They appeared outside the Transfiguration classroom, and Duncan opened the door slowly. He led the girls in, Diana staring around, awestruck. Minerva shivered. Now was the moment of truth. Duncan knocked sharply on the door of Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Come in," came Dumbledore's voice from the other side of the door. Minerva opened the door, and walked in with her siblings.
"Tabby?" the auburn-haired Professor asked, his blue eyes widening at the sight of his favorite student. Each of her siblings met his gaze too, and Duncan poked Minerva's arm gently.
"Piuthar...tell him. We'll be outside if you need us." He bowed respectfully to Albus, Selene and Diana curtsied, and the three left the room, closing the door behind them.
"Sit down, please, Minerva," Professor Dumbledore said quietly. Trembling, she took the chair he offered, and sank into it, her eyes fixed on him, wide and nervous.
"What brings you here to see me?" Albus questioned, looking at the rod still clutched in Minerva's hand. Noticing where he was looking, she dropped it as if it was a hot coal. She had forgotten she still held it.
"Well...er...it's like this, Profes-er, Albus...," she muttered.
"Athair hasn't exactly been treating me well..." She looked pointedly at the rod, now lying on the floor. Albus looked at it again, and narrowed his eyes.
"He's been..." Albus trailed off, and Minerva nodded miserably. The usual twinkle vanished from his eyes as swiftly as a blown-out candle's flame. He was angry. Very angry. And mostly, it was with HIMSELF. How could he have failed to notice? How could he have failed to protect her?
"Madam Arden!" he called through the Floo Network. There was no response. He sighed dismally.
"I forgot, it's summer...come on, then, Minerva." He picked her up, ignoring her protests, and kicked the door a little with his foot. Duncan opened it, and grinned at the sight of his sister being carried by Dumbledore. They proceeded to the hospital wing. Luckily, a quick *Alohomora* from Duncan unlocked the door...

[Nerweniel]

Great chapter, petite-fille ;D... hope to see more soon (especially some AD/MMish scenes... hehehehe *grin*)... but i really gtg to school now ;D!

Love,

Lies

[QuillofMinerva]

oh great chapter

looking forward to the next chapter

Clayre xx

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Part Six: Selene and Minerva

A/N: Seven is my lucky number, and therefore, part seven shall be more AD/MMish. I can't wait! Also, it's ten past midnight. Good night, everyone. Until tomorrow.

Professor Dumbledore put Minerva down on one of the beds, on her back. She cried out and he turned her over gently, murmuring apologies for hurting her. Selene knelt by her sister and soothed her. Minerva's eyes welled up with tears and she tried to wriggle out of the robes she was wearing, not caring that Albus was there. Selene shrugged and helped her change, after Albus pulled a curtain around the bed. Only the two sisters were there and no one else could see through. Selene helped Minerva put on a gown from the hospital wing and covered her part way with a blanket, leaving her back exposed. She winced at the welts, bruises, and open wounds covering Minerva's back.
"Oh, Piuthar..." Selene tried hard not to cry, but she couldn't stop her tears from falling, and some fell on Minerva's wounds. Minerva cringed; the salt from Lena's tears hurt badly.
Selene rubbed the tears from her eyes, and drew back the curtain, so Albus, Duncan, and Di could come in. "Just...just Albus, please, piuthar," Minerva whispered hoarsely. Shrugging, Selene beckoned Professor Dumbledore forward, and let the curtain close behind him as she came out herself. She wondered whether it was wise to leave Professor Dumbledore alone with her sister...

[Karlynne]

I'm so glad I found a story of yours. I was searching the site for one. You have me hooked on this one. I can't wait for an update. Karlynne

[Stoneygem]

I dunno, if it is wise, but it is sure to be interesting...
Fascinating story...can't wait to see more...and cringe in advance at what will happen, when Dumbles gets mad and decides to confront Minerva's father...

[Karlynne]

okay, I've caught up with this story so add the next installment. I've figured out the OC's (thanks for clearing it up). I would like to see where you go with this. I admit I tend to skip over the beatings because I really can't bear to read graphic abuse but it gave me insight into her father's character, not to mention her mother's. Karlynne

[amandahleigh]

This is so good so far! Terribly sad, and yet I love how incredibly strong she is...And that tough little five-year-old! Wonderful.
Amandah

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Part Seven (at last, and I beg your pardon for the delay) :
"Oh, Tabby..." Albus knelt by Minerva. "I'm so sorry for it all."
"Albus, Albus," she cried miserably. "Please, promise me..." Her breathing came in short gasps as she pushed herself up. She fell back from exhaustion.
"Promise me you'll take care of Diana," she murmured as her eyes began to close. Albus felt as if his heart was breaking. Don't die on me now, Minerva Renee McGonagall, he commanded her silently. He found strong healing potions and began rubbing them into her wounds, binding them up again.
Her eyes fluttered open for a few seconds. She seemed stronger.
"Albus?" Her voice was still weak and hoarse. He couldn't take it any longer.
"Minerva, Minerva, my Tabby, my Scottish Rose," he gasped out, desperate.
"Stay here with me," he finished. The grip on his hand from hers was weakening every second. Thoughts flew through his mind. He wasn't sure what to do anymore. Then it hit him.

There's only one thing you can do, Albus Dumbledore, he thought. He shook his head. He had been hoping for a calmer, more peaceful time for this.
"I love you, Tabby," he whispered. He leaned forward and kissed her gently. She was blushing. Oh Merlin, she was blushing...

"Again, Albus," she whispered as he broke away, unsure. This time his kiss was deeper, stronger. She felt the blood rush through her, strengthening and healing her. Minerva wrapped her arms around Albus' neck and he picked her up, still kissing her. Eventually she broke the kiss. They had to breathe, you know.

"That did it, Albus," she whispered. "I'm okay now." His blue eyes twinkled as her deep emerald ones shone happily.
"Shall we call the others in?" he asked anxiously.
"Oh, no," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I need some more therapy, I'm sure." She grinned.

[Nerweniel]

Eeheeheehee ;D loved this idea of "therapy" . Glad he saved Min this way, great! Please post more soon!

Love,

Lies