We shall add some drama. And peril!
Chapter 11: And the Games Continue
The games continued on through the week getting harder and more dangerous as it wore on. Several injuries had occurred but none so bad they need to be sent to St. Mungo's.
Everyone so far had a thrilling time and enjoyed themselves immensely. All the guests felt they were apart of the close knit McGonagall family; and they all agreed on the same thought. They hated Bernard.
The feeling was mutual for Bernard hated the McGonagalls; especially Katherine. He only wanted Minerva because she was the favored child and was set to get most of the inheritance. Not to mention the fact she was a powerful catch.
Unfortunately Albus and Bernard were so tightly together on their winnings and placing of the games…there were two games left.
"By this afternoon we will have a winner and one of the lucky bucks will be given this," Katherine replied as she pulled a small black box from her bosom and opened it.
Inside was the most beautiful antique engagement ring most of the group had ever seen. It was a silver setting with a four carat emerald in the middle. Embedded around the edge of the ring were diamond studs.
Bernard's eyes glinted brightly while Albus contemplated how to exactly give it to Minerva.
"All right then. We have the Human Transfigurations and The Duel!" Katherine sighed sticking the box back in her bosom and holding up her clipboard.
"For Transfigurations we have Albus Dumbledore and Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, Charlie Weasley and Daniela McGonagall, Severus Snape and Charolette Walters, Molly and Arthur Weasley, and Bernard Jackal and Fiona McGonagall," she replied.
"What do you mean putting me with Jack Ass?" Fiona hissed lowly so no one but Katherine heard.
"I will not have the little ones harmed by his incompetence …and you forget that you are here with three highly trained Master of Transfiguration. You'll be fine," Katherine replied.
"This is for signing Mina up isn't it?" Fiona glared.
"…..Yes," Katherine nodded.
Fiona sighed and sat back down.
"Right now the duelers are… Albus Dumbledore, Bernard Jackal, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Arthur Weasley, Bill Weasley, Ares McGonagall, Rowan McGonagall, Nancy McGonagall, Coronus McGonagall, and Severus Snape," Katherine finished.
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Everyone filed outside to the grounds and the players stood before Katherine's dais. "The rules are as follows. The men will bring their ladies before me and transfigure her into a marvelous creature made of three animals. The animals can be muggle or wizard it makes no difference. The man must change her, allow me to examine her, and then change her back with no lasting side effects," Katherine explained before she and Minerva took their seats.
"You may begin!"
"Miss Granger you are in good hands," Albus winked.
"Yes sir," Hermione nodded happily.
"I swear I'll be careful Gin," Harry replied.
"I trust you Harry," Ginny smiled sweetly.
"Screw with me and I'll kill you in what ever form I'm in," Fiona snarled.
"Sure," Bernard laughed sarcastically.
In minutes where the women stood were some of the most beautiful and strangest animals ever seen.
"Hmm," Katherine scoffed as she stood and walked around the creatures.
"Harry, A unicorn, thestral, with a hippogriff backside. Very nice," Katherine smiled patting Ginny's head.
"Thank you Kat," Harry blushed.
"Excellent work Arthur. A beautiful giraffe, hippogriff." She praised.
Arthur nodded.
"Oh Bernard now this is interesting. What is it?" Katherine asked circling her sister.
"Jackolope, tortoise, alligator, raven, rhinoceros," Bernard said as he smirked at Albus and blew a kiss to Minerva.
Minerva shuddered and turned her head.
"Very odd," Katherine replied. She continued observing the others till she came to Albus.
"And what have we here?" she smiled at the creature that was nuzzling her.
"The head of a Siberian tiger, body of an antelope, legs of a Clydesdale, tail of peacock, and personality of a tabby cat," Albus answered as he winked at Minerva.
Minerva smiled and nodded to him. She knew her mother loved cats. It was part of the reason she did.
Katherine kneeled over the creature and scratched her head.
"It's a beautiful animal Albus. Hermione dear you are exquisite," Katherine smiled.
"The Winner is Albus Dumbledore!!" Katherine shouted.
After the girls were returned to normal Katherine threw up the dome that would keep all magic in and all magic out. It was the dome the duels were always held in so the spectators were kept safe.
Two went in at a time and would duel till on surrender or lost their wand. Then another would go in to fight the winner.
"Albus, Bernard this is for all the marbles!" Katherine replied as the duels started in.
Five hours later Katherine called an intermission before the final duel between Albus and Bernard. She was allowing people to eat or stretch.
"I'm going for a walk. Harry, Minerva either one of you care to join me?" Katherine asked.
Both nodded and set out with her through the woods.
The trio walked through the woods. Katherine had her arm wrapped around Harry's while Minerva walked along beside them.
"Professor can I ask you something?" Harry said nervously.
"Certainly Harry," Minerva nodded.
"You won't break off the engagement with the headmaster will you? We can tell you two really love each other. And you fit pretty well together," Harry said.
"You've spent too much time with my mother," Minerva laughed as they stopped in a small clearing.
"I like her she's …like you but without the professor isms," Harry explained.
Minerva looked over at her mother who was standing just a few inches away speaking to a raven that was on her hand.
"That's what everyone says…the problem is I just don't know how to let go. My father always said it was better to be respected for your brains than your beauty. I always thought he and my mother married because of the old wizarding arranged marriages," Minerva explained, "of course I think now I know being you in all aspects is the better choice. That's why I really will stay with the headmaster."
"Awesome. You two are like the mum and dad of Hogwarts. Its better if you're married," Harry teased.
Minerva laughed and wrapped an arm around his shoulders as they moved closer to Katherine.
Before any knew what happened they were stunned in the back and tossed into a nearby hole.
"Well that's done. Jackal owes us for getting rid of some of his in-laws too," two cloaked figures laughed and walked off.
