Chapter 1
Deceiving Appearances
The hour was late; and few lights were still lit as the young witch strode through the encampment towards the designated Auror's tent. With a deep, steadying breath, she placed her hand upon the thick cloth and peeled the flap back…
"Hello?" She breathed out; wisps of steam fluttering from her breath into the cold night air as her face and body suddenly came into contact with a burst of warmth.
A witch in canary robes and three wizards, one in a brown cloak splattered with grey dirt and the other two in deep blue robes; her breath hitched as four sets of eyes immediately turned towards her. "Come in." The witch nodded as the wizards broke apart from the desk. It was then she saw him. Her eyes quickly traveling over his body…and his face as he stepped around the other three. It had been just over a year since she had bid him farewell at her graduation, and she had yearned to see him before now – but the war did not go well. He had written a handful of times in response to her queries, but to see him now…standing before her, whole and other than his tired countenance, unharmed – her heart momentarily soared. His hair was slightly longer and there was handful of grey hairs springing forth along his temples, and he now sported a closely cropped goatee that was a startling contrast to his soft white skin and blue crystalline eyes. Then she remembered, who she was and why she was here and felt her expression only momentarily shift before falling steadfastly back into a noncommittal face.
"Thank you for joining us on such short notice, Ms. McGonagall."
Albus raised his eyebrow, peering across the small expanse and piercing her with his eyes. "I am Albus Dumbledore, and you…" He strode across the space, hand outstretched.
Minerva cleared her throat, "Morgana, Sir." She stated, allowing her thick Gaelic brogue to rumble through her words as she shook his hand. "Morgana McGonagall."
"Thank you for coming." Albus peered a moment longer into her rich green eyes, reminding him of a younger woman who bore the same surname. Shaking the thought as he turned, he nodded to the other two wizards. "This is John Gillian and Ian Rockthorp."
Minerva nodded to both men, "Pleasure."
Albus barely waited for the words to leave her lips before turning to the witch, "And Madame Elizabeth Hexlane."
"Call me Lizzy, dear." She said with a smile in her deep brown eyes. "You must be tired…"
Minerva shook her head, "Quite the contrary, the trip was not at all taxing." She nodded toward the desk, "And I'd rather plan tomorrow's excursion prior to settling in for the night."
Lizzy fought a smile from emerging onto her round face at the nonsensical manner of the emerald clad witch. They debated for the better part of the hour on the mission the five of them were to take part in tomorrow, until finally the last detail was agreed upon and Minerva fought off a yawn as she stood. "I shall see each of you in the morning, goodnight." Lizzy bid the wizards goodnight, following the witch out into the darkness…
"You are welcome to share my tent, unless you prefer your own." Lizzy stated, trying to match her shorter stride to McGonagall's longer one.
"That is most kind, Lizzy." She paused, "But…"
"And I have some Earl Grey tea that I steeped in the sun today and needs just a hint of a warming spell."
Minerva felt a warm smile coming across her face, "I do cherish the offer, but on the eve before a mission I tend to be fairly restless and not much for company."
"Then join me for a spot of tea, and I shall help you set up your tent."
Minerva finally consented, and the two women adjourned to the low, shabby looking dust brown colored tent propped up against an old elm tree. Upon stepping through, Minerva fought back the look of wonderment as she was transported into a deep burgundy colored living room with several doorways littering the room. She owned a wizarding tent, but in comparison…it's splendor was nothing as grand as Lizzy's. "Make yourself comfortable, dear." She disappeared through a door on her right, and then popped her head back out of the doorway – "Kitchen through here, loo…" She tilted her head, indicating the door on the other side of the wall down the right side of the tent, "There, and there are two bedrooms." With that, she was gone in whirl of robes.
Despite her curiosity, Minerva unclasped her traveling robe, hanging it up next to Lizzy's yellow and a burnt brown one before making her way into the living room and sinking blissfully into a large overstuffed chair. Without much thought she leaned her head back, thankful for the moment of respite. The day had been long, and the travel to arrive here by this evening had been trying. She had been up for close to twenty-six hours taking a myriad of port keys and making several apparition jumps across Europe until she now was residing in a bit of forest on the edge of a German town along the boarder of Austria.
But to see his bright blue eyes…had been worth every hour. Even though he did not realize who she was.
"Ahhh…" Lizzy stepped in, a tray in her hands laden with tea, cups and biscuits. "Hope you like Ginger Newts…" She then realized that Morgana had been resting. "Sorry dear, you can…"
With a stifled sigh, Minerva sat up, smiling kindly at the witch who sat opposite. "A spot of tea would be lovely." She eyed the small biscuits lining the edge, "Though I have never had the fortune of having Ginger Newts." She picked one up, "Look like a molasses based cookie." She stated before biting into one.
"No, they are of a similar consistency, but have no molasses." She poured a second cup. "Sugar?"
Minerva shook her head, "No thank you, just the tea. This…" She held the newt up, "Is quite good."
"Yes, they are my favorite." She picked up tea, "Not too sweet, but with a burst of flavor."
Minerva sipped the warm tea, enjoying the warmth as it caressed her throat. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Lizzy shrugged, "Think nothing of it." She took a sip of tea, before her brows furrowed as she stared at Morgana. "Do not think me impolite, but I do have a couple of questions I would like to ask."
"Of that, I am sure." She replied, "As do most upon my arrival."
"It is only that I went to school with a Malcolm McGonagall, and you look to be about the same age as I and he never mentioned a sister nor a wife."
Minerva had long since practiced this line, and had said it so often that it had become route. "He was a second cousin once removed. I lived in northern Scotland and was privately tutored as my parents were not fond of any of the wizarding schools."
Lizzy blanched at the comment, "Even Hogwarts?"
Minerva nodded, "Yes." She leaned back, cradling the cup in her fingers, "Though I have found it to be an enchanting school, and at times I wish I had been afforded the opportunity to attend. From what Malcolm stated, and his youngest daughter who has just graduated…it is a wonderful education institution."
"Hogwarts changed my life." A sad smile spread across Lizzy's face. "That is where I met my husband, Charles."
Close to a year ago when she had begun this charade, she had made an ill comment not realizing what the look currently occupying Lizzy's face meant. Now…she knew, she had seen it countless times…all of the stories differed, but the end result was the same. "How long?" She quietly asked.
"It'll have been two years this June." Her voice faltering.
"I am so sorry."
Lizzy slowly raised her eyes, tears along the edges. "We've all lost people close to us, I am sure you have not been immune."
Minerva sighed, hating herself for the story she had weaved that now came so easily. "That is why I am here." She paused, as if trying to pull herself together, "For my parents."
Lizzy took the last sip of her tea. "But why here? Why not remain in England, it is far closer to Scotland?"
Minerva paused, carefully and truthfully responding to inquires. "It is, but the light stolen from my heart can not be rekindled in England. The man responsible lives along side of the German lines."
"You know, Morgana…your reputation as an Auror is unprecedented in England but the fighting here is far more…intense and less…civilized. Are you sure you wish to join us?"
"War is war, Lizzy. It is neither pretty nor civilized, but in this case necessary." She edged closer to her seat, "As I for one do not relish a world spoken in a German dialect and where children are taught the dark arts as a mandatory curriculum within our educational institutions."
A proud smile came across Lizzy's face. "Then you may join us." She nodded to the room by the door, "It is yours, it is Albus' orders if you passed our conversation." At Minerva's crinkled brow, she expanded upon her answer, "He wished to make sure your intentions were true and not seeking fame nor glory. He also only wishes three tents up at night. Ian and John share one; as will you and I."
Minerva tried to squelch the panic that was threatening to consume her, knowing that if she were to continue with this subterfuge, then she would have to find a way to continue to brew her aging potion without alerting Lizzy. "I…do hope my pattering about will not disturb you."
Lizzy waved her hand, "Nonsense. The doors to the rooms are sealed and unless the warning wards go off – a bomb can hit next to the tent and you would not be the wiser."
"Let us both hope that is not the case." She answered biting back another yawn.
"Morgana, go…" She nodded towards her room, "Despite what you claimed, I know it takes the better part of 20 hours to arrive here undetected and that was before the fall of France. You are tired, and we are in need of a fresh team on the morrow. Please, get some rest."
Minerva felt herself nod, "I fear you may be right. Goodnight Lizzy."
"And you." She said as she watched Morgana vanish into her room. No sooner had the door closed, and an outline shimmered out of the air, quickly becoming a wizard. "Satisfied, Albus?" Lizzy asked as she placed her cup upon the tray.
Albus' eyes remained locked upon the now closed door. "I know little of the McGonagall clan, but her story is credible as the birth charts within the Ministry show that Morgana was born in 1892."
Lizzy stared at him, "Are you sure you are alright Albus? You have been quite distracted since Morgana's arrival."
Albus reigned in his scattered thoughts. The woman behind the door at the far end of the room was not Minerva. She was at least 25 years her senior…but the eyes…dear Merlin, when he had seen Morgana, he thought he had been staring into the young eyes of Minerva. "She bears a striking resemblance to her cousin, one I taught recently at Hogwarts."
At this, Lizzy narrowed her eyes. "Surely you don't think…she is impersonating Morgana."
Albus finally turned to Lizzy. "The young woman is Malcolm's daughter, Minerva. She was quite adamant about joining the war this past year, but the Ministry will not permit anyone under the age of 21 to enter the field." A warm smile spread across his lips, "Her adamancy regarding the topic has instigated a plethora of requests demanding the law be revoked."
"And your feelings on the topic?"
"If we can win within the next year, I believe the Ministry valid in their decision as we will need to rebuild our world. If we do not win within this next year…I believe everyone who is able will need to be engaged in preserving our way of life."
"And regarding Morgana?"
"She bears an uncanny resemblance to young Minerva or rather Minerva bears an uncanny resemblance to her, but…it matters not." He briefly shook his head, "I just received a correspondence sent from her this evening, and my contacts at the Ministry stated she was at work today which would be impossible if she were Minerva. The travel would have had to begun yesterday evening to arrive here in time." Alas, though I wish it be untrue, it is not… "Thank you for assisting in this matter tonight Lizzy, and I shall see you in the morning."
"Please try and get some rest Albus."
Albus nodded and in a flurry of cloaks…he vanished from view as the flap closed.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this random thought process, let me know what you think and if I should continue. (And yes…Perspectives will be updated – it will have 3 more chapters to it.)