I'm sorry I'm a bit late, but I wanted this chapter to be good and I needed time to show a part of Minerva's side of the story.

And of course-big thanks for all of you who are reviewing and subscribing the story!

Minerva walked through a forest for over an hour now and was finally sensing magic in the air. She was only few miles away from Guilin, where she would meet Zan and his people. She left Hermione three days ago, when her and Fleur went to France and from France she managed to get to China with french edition of Floo Network. The house she appeared was five miles away from the centre of Guilin and she decided that she had more than enough of time to travel by foot. As she walked through forest, familiar and unique sent of water and levees combined made its way to her receptors and her senses. It seemed like it was a lifetime ago, not little less then two decades ago.

She walked up the narrow path that was clearly not used in many years, once beaten path of small rocks and dirt was covered in small grass with exception of few rocks. The grass was high as she remembered it, the calm and silent nature interrupted by whispering sounds of wind travelling through blades of grass.

''Mom! Jenna is cheating!'' a nine year old boy exclaimed looking up you

''Am not!'' Jenna, seven year old yelled ''You're just mad because I'm better than you.''

''Well, Henry, grass is not thick enough for you to hide.'' you replied while he looked up at you with his big brown eyes, so similar to your own and responded ''But I hid behind the tree, not in the grass mom!''

''You shouldn't be outside our property, I've already told you that.'' you said in strict tone

''Sorry, mom.'' they looked up sheepishly at you

Minerva continued to walk and after minute or two she stumbled across a short fence- not taller than ones waist, the fence was made of wood that was once brown, but now it lost colour for better part, only few stubborn pain chips hang onto it. The door of the fence was broken, a part from visible force of human or some animal that stumbled across the abandoned property and a part that broke down against forces of nature and weather. Minerva stepped into property, once rock pathway was now all overgrown and a person could not find it without cutting the grass first. But Minerva knew it was there, she walked on it so many times, over so many years.

''What's wrong with white fence?'' you asked looking at freshly finished fence ''We need to protect it with paint anyway, why not white?''

''It doesn't fit with the house, it doesn't fit with nature around us as well.''

''Which colour would you like then?'' you asked turning around

''Dark brown.''

''Dark brown? Dear Marlin.'' you sighed looking at the fence again ''I'm not giving up on this. I want a white fence.''

Walking down the now nonexistent pathway, Minerva looked to her right- a garden filled with Japanese cherry blossoms and one old, big, Rhododendron tree in the middle of garden. It was visible that the trees hadn't been trimmed or taken care of in years, which allowed the trees to grow in any direction they wanted, not bothering looking organised like they once were. After passing two trees that were in front of her and which treetops hid perfectly what was behind them, she spotted the house. It was East and West combined, both characteristics of Chine and England were molded into the house they created and Minerva's breath quivered at the sight in front of her. The roof collapsed over the years, wood sticking out of it, the windows were all shattered and the three stairs that led to the front porch were broken- wood rotted and yield to heavy rains and snow that Minerva knew were failing every winter.

Minerva made her way over the porch and to the door that were on the floor, fallen of their hinges- the door frame was split and still sharp splinters were sticking out which was obvious sign of breaking into the house.

Heavy, hurried footsteps approached the lightly illuminated house. Three man marched, one after the other- they were wearing black robes with silver masks on their faces. Pointed wand released the blue light and tore the doors open, making them fall of their hinges.

''Find them! Don't leave anybody alive!'' barked the first man and all three of them spread out to find their victims

''Avada Kedavra!'' a man wearing silver mask, the leader of small group fell down dead

The horrible green light illuminated the house three more times, each time taking away an innocent life with it.

Minerva walked into the house and looked to her left, chairs and wooden table were visible from the hallway- they were covered in heavy dust, each piece either broken or gone. She walked upstairs, stairs cracking even under her light weight; she moved to the right hallway and pushed already opened doors revealing a small bed, writing desk, big wardrobe and few shelves on which were books-their pages brown and black, filled with damp and mold.

The bed was made and at the foot of the bed, neatly folded jeans and t-shirt were waiting for their owner to pick them up. Minerva reached and took the small t-shirt and pressed it against her chest, swearing with her soul that she could smell her boy, that smell of grass and morning dew.

''Why do I have to fold already used clothes?'' Henry once again questioned you and you sat down on his bed while he was already tucked under heavy and warm covers

''Because there is no need to make them more dirty, is there?'' you asked ''Besides, that way we can look over your things and decide whether they can survive another day on you or they need washing.''

''Still, folding?'' he grinned

''Girls love it'' you winked and Henry made a face ''You have weird thoughts, mom.''

''You'll see in few years.'' you replied, bowed down and kissed his forehead ''I love you Henry, I wish you would never grow up.''

''I love you too, mom.'' he said and gave you his best toothy smile

Minerva sat down as she sobbed loud, gripping the shirt tightly in her arms.

''That was so awesome, mom!'' he yelled ''You have to teach me how to do that!''

''I will, Henry, as soon you will get your first wand.'' you smiled

''Wicked!'' he exclaimed and ran off to living room to tell his sister

''Stop telling him you'll teach him all those things when he gets a wand.'' the love of your life said behind you ''He'll blow up the house, that's 5th year material.''

''Sorry, love.'' you grinned ''He'll be good, I promise.''

After a while, Minerva walked out of her son's room and into the room across it. The room was decorated in same fashion like Henry's, but the walls were light pink and the neat bed was filled with many stuffed animals. Minerva reached for white-blue unicorn toy and remembered the softness under her fingers.

''Mom, I had a bad dream.'' small raven haired girl said as she stood in her little sleeping gown

''You did?'' you asked as you lifted the covers and she climbed onto the bed next to you.

''Yeah, I dreamt you and mommy left me and couldn't find you no matter where I looked.''

''Hmm'' you paused and reached for your wand ''Well, I thought I would give you this tomorrow for your birthday, but it seems you are in need of it tonight. Accio!'' you whispered and small, soft, unicorn toy with white body and blue mane and tail flew into your hand

''What's that?''Jenna asked

''That's your keeper'' you whispered and continued ''He will keep you safe and chase away any nightmare you will ever have.'' you said and put simple illumination spell over it, so the small unicorn toy illuminated the blue light for a moment or two

''Thank you, mom!'' Jenna exclaimed turning around and hugging Minerva strongly ''I love you, mom.''

''I love you too, my princess.''

Minerva finally made her way towards the left hallway and opened the door of her old bedroom. In the centre of the room was big double bed, two nightstands on each side, two doors on the left side of the room-one that led to bathroom and another that led to closet. On right side of bedroom was dresser and a sofa that was looking at the balcony doors. Minerva moved towards the balcony door and looked outside; their house was situated on top of a hill and the view was spectacular, miles of forest and in background she could see the light of the Guilin, river Xi and Elephant Trunk Hill.

Minerva walked into the bedroom and spotted her wife on her usual spot on the sofa, looking outside with sketch book in her hands. Kara was beautiful artist, she met her in the years she worked as an Auror. Even though she was British, Kara grew up and lived in China almost all her life. Minerva was sent already a Senior Auror when she was sent on a mission in Shanghai, a mission that led her to Guilin and most importantly to the love of her life. Kara and Minerva almost immediately hit it of and while Minerva was on a mission and had to take cover, Kara took care of her, whenever she would stumbled back hurt, Kara would heal her gently. She fell in love with dark haired woman and after her mission was completed, she gave Ministry her letter of resignation and went back to Kara.

They were together for 15 years, during which they had two children: Henry and Jenna. What nobody knew though, was that there was a third child as well, a child Kara was carrying when she was murdered.

Minerva reached to the nightstand on her side of bed and pulled out the familiar sketch book. She sat on sofa and went through sketches of her children, herself and all of them together.

''Merlin, you're beautiful.'' you breathed as you oogled your wife who was lying next to you, covered only in a thin sheet

''I want to stay like this forever.'' Kara said nuzzling into your neck

''I know, I want it too.'' you said '' We'll always be together, you know that right?''

''Forever, my love.'' she kissed your cheek and it made you blush, like she did on the day when you married when she kissed you in front of that altar

Minerva stood up and walked to the closet, opening it she switched the light on. All of their things were still hanging, organised by her wife, even though Minerva never understood the complicate concept of putting your clothes away in delicate matter. Minerva smirked as she remembered her wife's eye roll whenever she folded something on wrong spot.

Minerva took the bag she had in her pocket and enlarged it- stuffing in it few things- few pieces of clothing, sketch book, few pictures of her family she found on the dresser, two necklaces and their wedding rings which were put away in her nightstand. She downsized the bag and put it in her pocket. She walked down the stairs and to the right, pushing the doors open she entered the living room.

''I don't want to go.'' you protested

''Honey, I know you don't want to leave me or the kids.'' Kara said ''But your sister went missing. You need to help, they didn't come here for sports Minerva.'' said Kara mentioning to two Aurors that were standing in the hall waiting for her ''We'll be fine, my love. They aren't here, the war is in England.''

''I know, but still, if they...''you started, but were cut off by the slender finger that pressed against your lips

''I'll be here, waiting for you. You just come back safe and sound, my love.''

''I'll be back soon.'' you said knowing there weren't arguing with your wife. You kissed her ''I'll be back as soon as possible.''

One glance at the living room was enough to bring Minerva back to the night her life ended.

Minerva, Dumbledore and Severus apparated in front of her house. She was gone for a month and only few minutes ago she found out that her sister was fine and that Death Eaters found about her family- that she had admitted where they were after too many Crucio curses.

Minerva ran into the house through broken door, with her wand in her hand she hurried into living room only to yell in complete horror. Her babies...her babies...her wife...

Kara lied lifelessly on the flour in front of her children, her arms stretched in obvious attempt to protect them. She probably did, for a moment, for a brief amount of time until the wand of a madman threw the fatal curses again.

Minerva fell down and pulled her wife into her lab, stroking her soft but icily cold cheek ''Come back, love. Come back'' cried Minerva as her tears fell down in silent prayer that they would wake up the love of her life when they fell on her lifeless face. But she was gone, as well as he little children as she caressed them as well, yelling and screaming for them to walk up.

Strong hands pulled her away and she expected to see Dumbledore, but it was Snape who held her as she sobbed in his arms. He has always been a strange man, quiet and diligent, but she never took him as compassionate one. However he was the one who held her and helped her go through the pain.

Minerva silently made her way out of the house through the terrace doors to the back garden. She spotted a man looking standing there, looking at the river in the distance. She wiped away her tears as she neared him

''Hello Zan.'' she greeted

''Hello, Minerva.'' he responded as he turned around to see her

Bellatrix paced through her office, it has been three days since her date with Hermione. Raven haired woman hadn't slept what it felt like years, but in reality she only had three bad nights in a row. People have been avoiding her, officers trembled when she passed by and her guards were standing in front of her office doors looking down, not finding the courage to look her in the eye.

Bellatrix was going mental, she was sure of it. Even her kitty purred in annoyance. The demands she made, what on earth gave her the right to make them?! She shouldn't even consider accepting them, but the girl was her obsession, the only thing in life she wanted. Bellatrix was a proud hedonist, she enjoyed fighting, fucking and commanding; she took what she wanted without hesitation or guilt. She strongly protected her family and she never took twice when she killed someone who threatened her family or her goal. She was a conqueror without mercy, without a need for someones love and affection.

But Hermione was no object she wanted in her collection, she was breathing and walking addiction for her. The need to have her overruled her senses and logic; she was simply an exception to her rules and it was like her life depended on having her.

Bellatrix made her mind as she stood up and marched through the door of her office. She needed to see Hermione, immediately.

I hope you liked the chapter. Please review and tell me what you think.