Yeah, not mine. Still.
Minerva awoke, much later, in an unfamiliar crisp white bed. She tried to get up, and winced. Her chest felt as if a herd of buffalo had stampeded all over it, and she summoned a glass of water wandlessly to her outstretched hand.A Healer poked her head through the curtains around her.
" Ah, she's awake. You can come in now, but please, try not to disturb her." Minerva rolled her eyes.
" Those Stunners hit me in the chest, not the ears, Miss Slate!"
The Healer, a Ravenclaw who had graduated around five years ago, went pink, before scurrying Dumbledore trooped in, closely followed by most of the Order, who crowded round her bed. The Weasly twins thumped themselves down by her feet, Severus leaned against the wall, Remus pulled up a chair, as did Tonks, Mad Eye stood on guard by the door, and Dumbledore sat on the bed next to her. They proceeded, in low tones, to tell her what had happened at the Department of Mysteries. Minerva played her part, a carefully timed tear running down her face when she heard about Sirius, and pretending to be proud of those predictable teenagers.
A few hours later, a tall man with greying brown hair entered. Minerva eyed him with amusement.
" You've started going grey." She observed, and Tom laughed.
" Indeed. I wonder if the Wizarding World would be quite as terrified if they realised that Lord Voldemort has considered hair dye." He said, sitting down on the bed beside her.
" I happen to think that you look very distinguished." Minerva said, smiling. He softly claimed a kiss from her, stroking her hair.
" I still can't believe you did that, Minerva. You could have been killed!" She teased him:
" Oh, so Lord Voldemort has emotions after all, does he? I didn't create a Horcrux just to be killed off by some Stunners. I fully intend to rule the world, as you very well know!" There was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes - what did she mean, "I"? But she kissed it away quickly, and he forgets easily.
Muggles lay dead around them. Minerva had never been interested in Muggle baiting, but this was more than a random attack. She herself had ensured that the Order would be here. Minerva raised her wand to the heavens, red skirts swirling around her. An angel of death, dressed in blood.
A ghostly scarlet crown floated into the air, and she looked straight into Dumbledore's eyes. He didn't recognize her, as he charged towards her. The Order leapt from concealment, and her Death Eaters started shooting spells. She sees Bellatrix cackling out of the corner of her eye as she dueled, and scowled lightly. Those years in Azkaban had finally sent the girl off the edge. She would have to be disposed of soon, but for now, she was useful. After all, she had been loyal for sixteen years - she deserved to live a little longer. She and Dumbledore circle one another. " You know," He tells her conversationally, " I've always thought that you have very Gryffindor dress for a Slytherin."
She snorts softly. So, he assumes that she is a Slytherin, does he?
" Well, you manipulative old man," She smiles, " You, of all people, should know that only the best Slytherin's can pretend to be Gryffindors."
To be continued... Read and review please!