Disclaimer: The lovely J.K.Rowling
Author's note: This is slowly but surely turning into a Minerva fiction I
am afraid. Well this chapter is after all centred around her, but I promise
this will change again!!! And there will be some AD/MM eventually, be
patient ;)
To my reviewers:
@Sush: Thank you and Anke already explained it pretty well, Remus and Sirius planned to go to Hogwarts, but then the new letter stopped them. @Anke: Thank you so much! @Ensis: Thank you *blushes* and I still pray for London! @Freelancer: *blushesverydeeply* Thank you so very much! And I can't wait for a new chapter of your story either!!! @Huntress: Thank you, I hope you'll find this chapter interesting, I did my very best, even though the really exiting part will come next chapter!
And here we go again:
Minerva slowly walked through Hogwart's halls and then left for the gardens. She had always liked the weekends. It was Saturday morning and Hogwarts was all quiet. The older students had decided to pay a visit to Hogsmeade or used the time to finish homework or learn in the library. The younger ones played hide and seek in the park and had a good time chasing each other or to simply sit around and exchange the newest gossip. Minerva wandered through the gardens, once or twice finding a student cowering in his hiding place and she promised not to tell the seeker where to find him. A pair of sixth year Ravenclaws blushed deeply, when she caught them kissing, but Minerva simply smiled and resumed her way. When she hadn't had tests to correct or lessons to prepare she enjoyed walking the grounds of Hogwarts and watching the young students relax and have a good time. It made her feel alive. Not seldom Dumbledore would join her on her walks, but not today. Minerva returned to her office after a while and thought about the imminent attack and what she could do to save Hogwarts and the students. A soft knock on her door made her look up to find Harry Potter and his two best friends standing in her doorway: "Mr. Potter, how can I help you?" Harry stepped forward and informed the head of his house of his hurting scar and what he suspected it meant. To his own surprise McGonagall didn't seem to be surprised by the news: "I almost expected something like this Harry. It's good you came to me and told me, but if you don't mind I'd rather discuss this matter with you tonight." Harry nodded, sill unsure of what was going on: "Of course professor, we'll leave you alone then." Outside of McGonagall's office Harry rose his eyebrow: "What was that supposed to mean?" While Ron shrugged, Hermione laid a finger on her lips: "Sh, lets not talk in public, you heard the professor, we'll get some answers tonight." Harry pressed a hand on his scar, which was beginning to throb again: "Somehow I get the feeling I won't like those answers."
Minerva sighed, Harry's scar had always hurt when dark magic was around and now that it hurt so frequently Minerva was sure the attack was going to be soon. She tried to ignore the fear she was beginning to feel and continued planning the meeting tonight. With any luck they'd find the missing piece of the puzzle tonight.
^^^^
At eight pm every student had returned to his common room, telling his friends about his day and sharing treats with those who weren't able to go down to Hogsmeade to buy some. At the other end of Hogwarts Minerva said the password to Dumbledore's office and was given entrance immediately. She looked at the persons assembled there and then turned to Severus Snape: "Where is Alastor?" She asked. "He informed me this afternoon that the old circle had a job to do, but you shall send him an owl should there be new information." Minerva nodded and took her place behind Dumbledore's old desk. She smiled at Molly Weasley and then listened while the others told her any news they had. Altogether there weren't too many new findings, only that Fudge was behaving strangely, but that didn't have to mean something. Minerva quickly filled them in about what Snape and she had found out. The others reacted as Minerva had expected them to, with shock, anger and concern. She asked for suggestions what to do about the attack, but she never got answers. In the moment where Magnus Dumbledore wanted to say something, the door to Dumbledore's office blew open, leaving everyone glancing in shock at the person standing in the doorway: Sirius Black. The one person that had been able to flee from Azkaban. Minerva rose from her chair, she hadn't seen Black in a long time and his worried expression didn't help to calm her down. He didn't waist time to address her: "Listen everyone, we don't have much time, I can't explain what's happening in detail, but we need to evacuate Hogwarts. Now!" To everyone's surprise Minerva simply nodded. In the long years of her life she had learned when to simply accept orders and follow them without asking too many questions and now was such a moment. All day she had thought about how to evacuate the students the fastest way, knowing an impendent offensive against Hogwarts wouldn't give them much time: "We'll bring the students down to Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts Express will be waiting there. I want you to keep the students quiet, give them as little information as possible, keep them calm, we can't risk to arise too much attention. They shall leave all their belongings in Hogwarts, we can't lose time with packing. Severus you'll get the Slytherins, I'll take care of the Gryffindors, Molly and Bill, you'll inform Professor Sprout and the Hufflepuffs, Arthur, Charley the Ravenclaws will be yours. Harry, Hermione and Ron you'll come with me, Magnus, go and inform Hagrid and the teachers please! We'll meet again in Hogsmeade in about forty minutes!" Everyone nodded obediently and rushed out of the room. Sirius gave Harry and his friends an encouraging smile before he hurried out of Dumbledore's office again.
Only ten minutes later the halls of Hogwarts were filled with anxiously whispering students and teachers that told them to hurry and leave their stuff behind. Minerva ran through the Gryffindor tower making sure every student knew what was happening and no one was left behind. She lead her own group of students, all lined up in pairs of two, out of Hogwarts through the darkness to Hogsmeade. She felt their fear, but the adrenalin pushing through her body kept her from sharing their worry and helped her keeping her head clear. After thirty long minutes Hogwarts students filled into the Hogwarts Express. The teachers counted to make absolutely sure that no one was forgotten. When they were sure everyone was indeed safe, the teachers boarded the train as well. "No Harry, for the last time, you won't stay behind! You'll get into the train, now!" McGonagall tried to order her student, but he was stubborn: "Professor, you know that this has something to do with me, I don't want to leave!" Minerva finally got help from Harry's godfather, who laid a firm hand on Harry's shoulder: "You won't stay here, where you are in such great danger! Harry, the whole future of the wizarding world lies in your hands, we can't risk to lose you!" Harry frowned: "What do you mean?" Sirius shook his head: "No time Harry, get into that train now!" But the young boy was as pig-headed as his father had been: "No, maybe I'll be able to help!" Minerva finally gave up and allowed him to stay. Hermione and Ron followed Harry's example, much to the anger of McGonagall and Ron's parents. After instructing the teachers that accompanied the train for the last time, Minerva together with Snape performed an invisibility spell that would cloak the train and in that way make sure the dark troops wouldn't find it. When the train had left the station, Sirius turned to Minerva and the others: "The dark troops are closing in, we were able to stop them at Eaver's bay for once, but they'll arrive here soon." Minerva stared hard at him: "Sirius, what is going on?" But before he was able to explain, there was a flush of bright green light, blinding them all for a second. The dark mark shone clearly through the night over one of the woods near Hogwarts: "I don't have time to explain, Professor, you'll have to trust me. Go back to Hogwarts and hide, I guess you know where." Minerva nodded curtly. "Good, don't leave until someone gets you!" He wanted to leave them behind, but Magnus and Snape stepped forward: "We will come with you." Sirius seemed to think for a moment, but nodded then: "All right." Bill and Charley Weasley wanted to follow them as well, but were held back by their mother in an instant: "Oh no you two won't go and get yourself killed." Both men smiled at their mother: "Don't worry, that wasn't our intention, but we'd like to help and we know a lot about dark magic." Sirius waited impatiently: "We can use men, but you two are the last ones, we really have to get going. Professor McGonagall, make sure you keep quiet!" While Sirius and his four volunteers hurried off to the woods Minerva lead the others back to Hogwarts. She returned to Dumbledore's office with them, closing the door behind them: "Concludo!" She ordered and the door shut tightly. "Follow me." She led the group to the back of Dumbledore's office, where a long cupboard filled with hundreds of ancient books stood. "Aperire cubiculum silencium!" A part of the cupboard and the books vanished and gave way to a small entrance: "Hurry!" Everyone followed Minerva into the old passage. McGonagall turned around and ordered the entrance to disappear again. The small corridor in front of them was dark and so Minerva and the others used the Lumos spell to make their wands spend them light. Harry, Ron and Hermione gasped in awe when they saw the many paintings at the wall, each painting telling a story. Minerva smiled at them: "This is the ancient headmaster's gallery, only the headmasters of Hogwarts know where it is, not even the other teachers know about it. All these paintings tell a story of ancient fights against dark magic. Impressing isn't it?" The three kids nodded solemnly. "We have to hush now, this corridor leads all through Hogwarts to a small chamber, I'll bring you there. But keep silent, because otherwise we may risk getting detected." The small chamber she lead them to had a round form and enough chairs and sofas to allow them to sit comfortably. No one spoke a word. Arthur Weasley laid his arm around his wife who was praying silently. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat on a red sofa studying the walls and the paintings, while Minerva was walking around the room, lightening the candles. She still didn't know what was happening and it disturbed her greatly. What was Sirius Black doing in Hogwarts, why did Magnus seem like he knew what was going on and why did no one inform her? Minerva sat down in one of the arm- chairs, awaiting whatever she was waiting for.
After a while the three children got up from the sofa and stared at the one particular painting Minerva had known they'd sooner or later find. She nodded at their questioning look. The painting showed a middle aged wizard with long auburn hair fighting an elderly looking wizard in an underground station: it was Dumbledore's last fight against Grindelwald. Minerva remembered that day well, the fourth of April 1945 had been an unusually cold day in Britain. German bombers had once again and for the last time cruised over London, throwing bombs whenever and wherever they could, frightening muggles as well as wizards. Bombs killed you, no matter whether you possessed magical skills or not. Minerva had been in London for one week, meeting old friends, meeting allies, preparing the final stroke against Grindelwald.
She had been teaching in Beauxbatons for one year when the Germans came and took over Paris in June 1940. Beauxbatons was quickly closed, the students send home to their families. Minerva got an urgent letter from Albus and returned to Britain under cover of the night, her status as animagus made it easier to flee, no German soldier got the idea to control a cat and Grindelwald's troops weren't yet trained to detect animagi. Albus had long ago secretly founded the "Order of Phoenix" as counterpart to Grindelwald's dark troops. Professor Dippet reminded Minerva a lot of Cornelius Fudge today, both didn't see the danger coming until it was too late to react. But not Dumbledore. She met him and the other wizards and witches of the "Order of Phoenix" in Hogsmeade, all being famous and wise friends of Albus. She hadn't had the chance to talk to Dumbledore before the meeting started and she was surprised at how detailed his plans against Grindelwald were. Every wizard and witch had an assignment, a mission, and all of them were determined to reach their common goal, the defeat of Grindelwald.
Minerva became one of Albus spies that night in 1940 when Grindelwald as well as Hitler were still celebrating one victory after the next. Grindelwald was as crazy and greedy for power as Hitler and he swore to eliminate all wizards who were against him and his ideals and he was clever, very clever. Minerva despised both men and swore to never give up fighting them. Being 24 years old, she was the youngest member of the "Order of Phoenix" and still impulsive and inexperienced. Albus realized her thirst for action and added his own two brothers to her team. They were supposed to keep her calm, to show her how things worked. This was when she got to know Aberforth and Magnus Dumbledore. The three of them were sent back to France. Rumours said that Grindelwald was building up a large training camp for dark wizards there and was supposed to arrive in Paris in one month. It was the team's job to gather information about the camp and about Grindelwald's whereabouts. Paris was shaken from the constant attacks of the Germans from a few weeks ago and with German soldiers everywhere, controlling everyone in fear of attacks or spies, the work wasn't exactly easy. Aberforth and Magnus made sure Minerva didn't get into danger and looked after her whenever they could. Minerva soon became comfortable around them and it almost felt as if they were her own older brothers. Aberforth was about ten years older than Albus and Magnus ten years younger than Hogwart's headmaster. All three brothers were remarkably alike in their looks and characteristic features. Aberforth was an excellent wizard, he never had problems finding a new spell and using it, but reading was one of his weak parts. He was never quiet able to understand what the words wanted to tell him. Short spells and curses were all right, but longer texts just went past his understanding. But no one practised magic as gracefully and easily as him. With Magnus the things were the other way around. He was very intelligent, reading one book after the next. He was interested in history, mainly muggle history and in anthropology. But enchantment didn't come so easily, it took him quiet some time to grasp and use new spells and he had to practise hard to keep up with Aberforth and Albus. Albus on the other hand was a mixture of both brother's abilities, he was as intelligent as Magnus and as talented in practising magic as Aberforth. That made him so special to Minerva, he was a powerful wizard without the arrogance power sometimes brought along.
She wrote long letters to him which he always answered immediately. Things didn't look good for Europe, Grindelwald supported Hitler everywhere he could, making sure that some of his own enemies disappeared in the concentration camps as well. No one was safe anymore, Britain had to expect being entered, too, even though Hitler had some problems getting onto the island with his troops. Between 1940 and 1941 London was a constant target of German air attacks. The wizards and witches operating in Poland and Germany reported never ending stories of horror and cruelness and the allies were only just forming, it took Pearl Harbour to make the Americans finally aware of the threat that was building up in Europe and Asia and grew more powerful by every minute. Minerva's team had soon gathered enough information to sabotage the training camp and a special team of the Order of Phoenix destroyed it only a few weeks later. It had been a rather unspectacular mission, but it left Aberforth with the small scar over his left eyebrow when a bomb exploded close to him and one of the fragments cut over his eyebrow. After their task had been accomplished, they stayed in France for another year and a half to simply control the situation there. It was a peaceful time for Minerva, well as peaceful as time could be in World War II. She spent a lot of time with Magnus, while Aberforth was busy finding new spells. Magnus was an attractive "young" man and they had many common interests, they both loved Scotland, reading, listening to classical music and so many other things. She could talk endlessly to him about every topic that sprang to her mind, serious or funny, it didn't matter. He always seemed to understand her. A deep friendship developed between them and Minerva considered him to be her closest friend. What she didn't realize at first was that Magnus felt more for her than simple friendship. She wasn't sure when exactly she realized it for the first time, but once she did, it rattled her greatly. She had no such feeling as love for him, she considered their friendship to be purely platonic. Minerva suddenly began to feel uncomfortable around him and even though she knew she had to talk to him, she couldn't bring herself to address the topic. Magnus soon sensed a change in her behaviour and talked to her about it one night, but she didn't feel able to tell him the truth, a truth she wasn't even sure she knew herself. Minerva simply asked him to give her some time to think about everything. Being the gentleman he was, he instantly agreed.
It was then that Albus' letter arrived. It was spring 1942, the Americans had formed an alliance with Britain and France and together they were finally able to push Hitler back a little. Minerva's team wasn't needed in France anymore. Aberforth and Magnus were ordered to Germany and Minerva was supposed to return to Hogwarts, where Dumbledore was still teaching and where no one yet knew that Dumbledore was the leader of the Order of Phoenix.
At the last night in France Minerva and Magnus took a long walk together. They talked about their new missions and how both hated the idea of their team being parted. After a while Magnus seemed to get nervous. They walked on in silence for some time till stopped and turned to look at her: "Minerva, I know you may not feel the same way about me as I feel about you, but I've grown to love you over the last year." At that point he took her hand, "I. I probably should have prepared a better speak." He smiled a little and she smiled back, hoping he wouldn't see how uncomfortable she was: "Minerva, dear, I just want to tell you that I love you and I want you to promise me something." Minerva took a deep breath: "I'll try." "Once I return from Germany, you'll have decided what you want. Is that an acceptable demand? I don't want to put you under any pressure, but I need to know how you feel. Should you decide that a life with me wouldn't be that bad after all, then I'd be more than happy to make you happy. Should you decide against a life with me, I'll accept that." Minerva didn't dare to look into his eyes. "You'll have some time to think about my proposal and whatever you do, let your heart decide." Minerva felt tears building up in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back: "I promise, but only if you promise me that you will come back." Magnus smiled reassuringly at her and they silently, but still holding hands resumed their walk.
The rest was history Minerva thought bitterly. Magnus returned to Hogwarts in 1943, he was a different man, not the Magnus she had gotten to know in France, he had changed to a bitter man, drawn by the horrors he had seen, disappointed in magic and the wizarding world. She had seen his eyes lightening up when he had seen her and she had seen the sparkle disappear as sudden as it had come, when she told him her answer was no. She had battled with herself for a long time, thinking about the pros and contras. It was only when she remembered Magnus' last advice for her that she came to a conclusion. She let her heart decide and her heart decided against Magnus and for someone else. Magnus was very hurt, she saw it, but he pretended to be all right. Albus was worried about his younger brother and had long, intense talks with him, but it was too late, Magnus had already made up his mind. After a last long conversation with Albus and Minerva he said goodbye to the wizarding world, a world that had only brought him pain and disappointment and he swore to never return. One year later Minerva got a letter from him, saying that he lived in the depth of Australia now and was married to a lovely Muggle woman in her early thirties who didn't know he was a wizard and who loved him just as much as he loved her. Minerva was truly happy for him, but Europe was still in war, the Germans being almost defeated. Hitler, driven crazy by his vision to rule the world and kill all Jews, still send thousands of soldiers to the front and into their certain death. Grindelwald on the other hand was as powerful as ever and the Order of Phoenix had a hard time fighting his dark troops. Many lost their life in great battles that took place between the two opposing forces.
In March 1945 then she and Albus had a long conversation in which he informed her of his future plans. Grindelwald had lost some of his power due to new battles and the best time to fight him down was some time soon. There was no hope for Germany anymore, they would lose the war, it was only a question of time. Their only hope was Grindelwald and his troops that still supported Hitler and his soldiers. There was going to be a wizarding conference in April that had to be kept safe. Albus would attend it as well as many other wizards and witches of the Order of Phoenix and it would be on this conference that Albus would step out of the shadows and present the Order of Phoenix to the rest of the wizarding world. On this conference Albus hoped to convince other wizards to join the Order and he hoped to finish his plans for the last fight against Grindelwald. In the following month Minerva met with a dozens of people. She found a safe place for the conference to be held, put curses everywhere around that area so that dark wizards would be detected as soon as they got too close to the building and she ensured the safe journey of most of the attendants of the meeting.
It was still a mystery to Minerva how the conference could have gone so horribly wrong nevertheless. Most wizards and witches had already arrived at the hotel where the conference would take place, when one of the alarms went off. There was a dark wizard in an underground station not too far away from the hotel. She quietly informed Albus, who didn't seem to be surprised at all: "I thought he'd come." Minerva had looked at him puzzled and when he attempted to leave the room, she held him back: "Who came? Grindelwald? What exactly are you going to do?" He had simply smiled gently at her: "What I have to do my dear. This war has lasted long enough, it's time for me to do something about it." She didn't let go of his arm though: "But you can't do it all on your own, you'll get yourself killed, Albus, take Aberforth with you." But the older wizard just took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze: "Minerva, I am the only one who can do this. Me alone. Don't worry, everything will be all right." And with that he let go of her hand and disappeared in front of her eyes. Minerva had stood frozen for a minute, before turning around and calming down the other wizards and witches, there was nothing else she was able to do. Grindelwald fell that night, killed by a man that now became one of the most famous wizards in the world. The underground station was completely destroyed after the battle, forty-five muggles and wizards lost their lives down there, because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. World War II ended only one month later, the Germans capitulating on May 7th 1945. Albus returned to Hogwarts as if nothing had happened and it was only years later that Minerva would get to hear the true story of what happened that night of the 4th of April down in a dark underground station in London between Dumbledore and Grindelwald..
A loud explosion made Minerva return to the presence. The three children, by now almost asleep, were wide awake again, their eyes wide with fear. Arthur and Molly Weasly weren't able to hide their concern either. Minerva silently got up, the first explosion followed a second. "Whoever the are," she thought, "they are in Hogwarts now.."
Well, well "Order of Phoenix" I know I am very creative, but this has nothing to do with the fifth Harry Potter book. Please review, I have to know what you think of the way the story is developing, if it is after all.. No more history in the next chapters I promise (well, at least not that much ;) ).
To my reviewers:
@Sush: Thank you and Anke already explained it pretty well, Remus and Sirius planned to go to Hogwarts, but then the new letter stopped them. @Anke: Thank you so much! @Ensis: Thank you *blushes* and I still pray for London! @Freelancer: *blushesverydeeply* Thank you so very much! And I can't wait for a new chapter of your story either!!! @Huntress: Thank you, I hope you'll find this chapter interesting, I did my very best, even though the really exiting part will come next chapter!
And here we go again:
Minerva slowly walked through Hogwart's halls and then left for the gardens. She had always liked the weekends. It was Saturday morning and Hogwarts was all quiet. The older students had decided to pay a visit to Hogsmeade or used the time to finish homework or learn in the library. The younger ones played hide and seek in the park and had a good time chasing each other or to simply sit around and exchange the newest gossip. Minerva wandered through the gardens, once or twice finding a student cowering in his hiding place and she promised not to tell the seeker where to find him. A pair of sixth year Ravenclaws blushed deeply, when she caught them kissing, but Minerva simply smiled and resumed her way. When she hadn't had tests to correct or lessons to prepare she enjoyed walking the grounds of Hogwarts and watching the young students relax and have a good time. It made her feel alive. Not seldom Dumbledore would join her on her walks, but not today. Minerva returned to her office after a while and thought about the imminent attack and what she could do to save Hogwarts and the students. A soft knock on her door made her look up to find Harry Potter and his two best friends standing in her doorway: "Mr. Potter, how can I help you?" Harry stepped forward and informed the head of his house of his hurting scar and what he suspected it meant. To his own surprise McGonagall didn't seem to be surprised by the news: "I almost expected something like this Harry. It's good you came to me and told me, but if you don't mind I'd rather discuss this matter with you tonight." Harry nodded, sill unsure of what was going on: "Of course professor, we'll leave you alone then." Outside of McGonagall's office Harry rose his eyebrow: "What was that supposed to mean?" While Ron shrugged, Hermione laid a finger on her lips: "Sh, lets not talk in public, you heard the professor, we'll get some answers tonight." Harry pressed a hand on his scar, which was beginning to throb again: "Somehow I get the feeling I won't like those answers."
Minerva sighed, Harry's scar had always hurt when dark magic was around and now that it hurt so frequently Minerva was sure the attack was going to be soon. She tried to ignore the fear she was beginning to feel and continued planning the meeting tonight. With any luck they'd find the missing piece of the puzzle tonight.
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At eight pm every student had returned to his common room, telling his friends about his day and sharing treats with those who weren't able to go down to Hogsmeade to buy some. At the other end of Hogwarts Minerva said the password to Dumbledore's office and was given entrance immediately. She looked at the persons assembled there and then turned to Severus Snape: "Where is Alastor?" She asked. "He informed me this afternoon that the old circle had a job to do, but you shall send him an owl should there be new information." Minerva nodded and took her place behind Dumbledore's old desk. She smiled at Molly Weasley and then listened while the others told her any news they had. Altogether there weren't too many new findings, only that Fudge was behaving strangely, but that didn't have to mean something. Minerva quickly filled them in about what Snape and she had found out. The others reacted as Minerva had expected them to, with shock, anger and concern. She asked for suggestions what to do about the attack, but she never got answers. In the moment where Magnus Dumbledore wanted to say something, the door to Dumbledore's office blew open, leaving everyone glancing in shock at the person standing in the doorway: Sirius Black. The one person that had been able to flee from Azkaban. Minerva rose from her chair, she hadn't seen Black in a long time and his worried expression didn't help to calm her down. He didn't waist time to address her: "Listen everyone, we don't have much time, I can't explain what's happening in detail, but we need to evacuate Hogwarts. Now!" To everyone's surprise Minerva simply nodded. In the long years of her life she had learned when to simply accept orders and follow them without asking too many questions and now was such a moment. All day she had thought about how to evacuate the students the fastest way, knowing an impendent offensive against Hogwarts wouldn't give them much time: "We'll bring the students down to Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts Express will be waiting there. I want you to keep the students quiet, give them as little information as possible, keep them calm, we can't risk to arise too much attention. They shall leave all their belongings in Hogwarts, we can't lose time with packing. Severus you'll get the Slytherins, I'll take care of the Gryffindors, Molly and Bill, you'll inform Professor Sprout and the Hufflepuffs, Arthur, Charley the Ravenclaws will be yours. Harry, Hermione and Ron you'll come with me, Magnus, go and inform Hagrid and the teachers please! We'll meet again in Hogsmeade in about forty minutes!" Everyone nodded obediently and rushed out of the room. Sirius gave Harry and his friends an encouraging smile before he hurried out of Dumbledore's office again.
Only ten minutes later the halls of Hogwarts were filled with anxiously whispering students and teachers that told them to hurry and leave their stuff behind. Minerva ran through the Gryffindor tower making sure every student knew what was happening and no one was left behind. She lead her own group of students, all lined up in pairs of two, out of Hogwarts through the darkness to Hogsmeade. She felt their fear, but the adrenalin pushing through her body kept her from sharing their worry and helped her keeping her head clear. After thirty long minutes Hogwarts students filled into the Hogwarts Express. The teachers counted to make absolutely sure that no one was forgotten. When they were sure everyone was indeed safe, the teachers boarded the train as well. "No Harry, for the last time, you won't stay behind! You'll get into the train, now!" McGonagall tried to order her student, but he was stubborn: "Professor, you know that this has something to do with me, I don't want to leave!" Minerva finally got help from Harry's godfather, who laid a firm hand on Harry's shoulder: "You won't stay here, where you are in such great danger! Harry, the whole future of the wizarding world lies in your hands, we can't risk to lose you!" Harry frowned: "What do you mean?" Sirius shook his head: "No time Harry, get into that train now!" But the young boy was as pig-headed as his father had been: "No, maybe I'll be able to help!" Minerva finally gave up and allowed him to stay. Hermione and Ron followed Harry's example, much to the anger of McGonagall and Ron's parents. After instructing the teachers that accompanied the train for the last time, Minerva together with Snape performed an invisibility spell that would cloak the train and in that way make sure the dark troops wouldn't find it. When the train had left the station, Sirius turned to Minerva and the others: "The dark troops are closing in, we were able to stop them at Eaver's bay for once, but they'll arrive here soon." Minerva stared hard at him: "Sirius, what is going on?" But before he was able to explain, there was a flush of bright green light, blinding them all for a second. The dark mark shone clearly through the night over one of the woods near Hogwarts: "I don't have time to explain, Professor, you'll have to trust me. Go back to Hogwarts and hide, I guess you know where." Minerva nodded curtly. "Good, don't leave until someone gets you!" He wanted to leave them behind, but Magnus and Snape stepped forward: "We will come with you." Sirius seemed to think for a moment, but nodded then: "All right." Bill and Charley Weasley wanted to follow them as well, but were held back by their mother in an instant: "Oh no you two won't go and get yourself killed." Both men smiled at their mother: "Don't worry, that wasn't our intention, but we'd like to help and we know a lot about dark magic." Sirius waited impatiently: "We can use men, but you two are the last ones, we really have to get going. Professor McGonagall, make sure you keep quiet!" While Sirius and his four volunteers hurried off to the woods Minerva lead the others back to Hogwarts. She returned to Dumbledore's office with them, closing the door behind them: "Concludo!" She ordered and the door shut tightly. "Follow me." She led the group to the back of Dumbledore's office, where a long cupboard filled with hundreds of ancient books stood. "Aperire cubiculum silencium!" A part of the cupboard and the books vanished and gave way to a small entrance: "Hurry!" Everyone followed Minerva into the old passage. McGonagall turned around and ordered the entrance to disappear again. The small corridor in front of them was dark and so Minerva and the others used the Lumos spell to make their wands spend them light. Harry, Ron and Hermione gasped in awe when they saw the many paintings at the wall, each painting telling a story. Minerva smiled at them: "This is the ancient headmaster's gallery, only the headmasters of Hogwarts know where it is, not even the other teachers know about it. All these paintings tell a story of ancient fights against dark magic. Impressing isn't it?" The three kids nodded solemnly. "We have to hush now, this corridor leads all through Hogwarts to a small chamber, I'll bring you there. But keep silent, because otherwise we may risk getting detected." The small chamber she lead them to had a round form and enough chairs and sofas to allow them to sit comfortably. No one spoke a word. Arthur Weasley laid his arm around his wife who was praying silently. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat on a red sofa studying the walls and the paintings, while Minerva was walking around the room, lightening the candles. She still didn't know what was happening and it disturbed her greatly. What was Sirius Black doing in Hogwarts, why did Magnus seem like he knew what was going on and why did no one inform her? Minerva sat down in one of the arm- chairs, awaiting whatever she was waiting for.
After a while the three children got up from the sofa and stared at the one particular painting Minerva had known they'd sooner or later find. She nodded at their questioning look. The painting showed a middle aged wizard with long auburn hair fighting an elderly looking wizard in an underground station: it was Dumbledore's last fight against Grindelwald. Minerva remembered that day well, the fourth of April 1945 had been an unusually cold day in Britain. German bombers had once again and for the last time cruised over London, throwing bombs whenever and wherever they could, frightening muggles as well as wizards. Bombs killed you, no matter whether you possessed magical skills or not. Minerva had been in London for one week, meeting old friends, meeting allies, preparing the final stroke against Grindelwald.
She had been teaching in Beauxbatons for one year when the Germans came and took over Paris in June 1940. Beauxbatons was quickly closed, the students send home to their families. Minerva got an urgent letter from Albus and returned to Britain under cover of the night, her status as animagus made it easier to flee, no German soldier got the idea to control a cat and Grindelwald's troops weren't yet trained to detect animagi. Albus had long ago secretly founded the "Order of Phoenix" as counterpart to Grindelwald's dark troops. Professor Dippet reminded Minerva a lot of Cornelius Fudge today, both didn't see the danger coming until it was too late to react. But not Dumbledore. She met him and the other wizards and witches of the "Order of Phoenix" in Hogsmeade, all being famous and wise friends of Albus. She hadn't had the chance to talk to Dumbledore before the meeting started and she was surprised at how detailed his plans against Grindelwald were. Every wizard and witch had an assignment, a mission, and all of them were determined to reach their common goal, the defeat of Grindelwald.
Minerva became one of Albus spies that night in 1940 when Grindelwald as well as Hitler were still celebrating one victory after the next. Grindelwald was as crazy and greedy for power as Hitler and he swore to eliminate all wizards who were against him and his ideals and he was clever, very clever. Minerva despised both men and swore to never give up fighting them. Being 24 years old, she was the youngest member of the "Order of Phoenix" and still impulsive and inexperienced. Albus realized her thirst for action and added his own two brothers to her team. They were supposed to keep her calm, to show her how things worked. This was when she got to know Aberforth and Magnus Dumbledore. The three of them were sent back to France. Rumours said that Grindelwald was building up a large training camp for dark wizards there and was supposed to arrive in Paris in one month. It was the team's job to gather information about the camp and about Grindelwald's whereabouts. Paris was shaken from the constant attacks of the Germans from a few weeks ago and with German soldiers everywhere, controlling everyone in fear of attacks or spies, the work wasn't exactly easy. Aberforth and Magnus made sure Minerva didn't get into danger and looked after her whenever they could. Minerva soon became comfortable around them and it almost felt as if they were her own older brothers. Aberforth was about ten years older than Albus and Magnus ten years younger than Hogwart's headmaster. All three brothers were remarkably alike in their looks and characteristic features. Aberforth was an excellent wizard, he never had problems finding a new spell and using it, but reading was one of his weak parts. He was never quiet able to understand what the words wanted to tell him. Short spells and curses were all right, but longer texts just went past his understanding. But no one practised magic as gracefully and easily as him. With Magnus the things were the other way around. He was very intelligent, reading one book after the next. He was interested in history, mainly muggle history and in anthropology. But enchantment didn't come so easily, it took him quiet some time to grasp and use new spells and he had to practise hard to keep up with Aberforth and Albus. Albus on the other hand was a mixture of both brother's abilities, he was as intelligent as Magnus and as talented in practising magic as Aberforth. That made him so special to Minerva, he was a powerful wizard without the arrogance power sometimes brought along.
She wrote long letters to him which he always answered immediately. Things didn't look good for Europe, Grindelwald supported Hitler everywhere he could, making sure that some of his own enemies disappeared in the concentration camps as well. No one was safe anymore, Britain had to expect being entered, too, even though Hitler had some problems getting onto the island with his troops. Between 1940 and 1941 London was a constant target of German air attacks. The wizards and witches operating in Poland and Germany reported never ending stories of horror and cruelness and the allies were only just forming, it took Pearl Harbour to make the Americans finally aware of the threat that was building up in Europe and Asia and grew more powerful by every minute. Minerva's team had soon gathered enough information to sabotage the training camp and a special team of the Order of Phoenix destroyed it only a few weeks later. It had been a rather unspectacular mission, but it left Aberforth with the small scar over his left eyebrow when a bomb exploded close to him and one of the fragments cut over his eyebrow. After their task had been accomplished, they stayed in France for another year and a half to simply control the situation there. It was a peaceful time for Minerva, well as peaceful as time could be in World War II. She spent a lot of time with Magnus, while Aberforth was busy finding new spells. Magnus was an attractive "young" man and they had many common interests, they both loved Scotland, reading, listening to classical music and so many other things. She could talk endlessly to him about every topic that sprang to her mind, serious or funny, it didn't matter. He always seemed to understand her. A deep friendship developed between them and Minerva considered him to be her closest friend. What she didn't realize at first was that Magnus felt more for her than simple friendship. She wasn't sure when exactly she realized it for the first time, but once she did, it rattled her greatly. She had no such feeling as love for him, she considered their friendship to be purely platonic. Minerva suddenly began to feel uncomfortable around him and even though she knew she had to talk to him, she couldn't bring herself to address the topic. Magnus soon sensed a change in her behaviour and talked to her about it one night, but she didn't feel able to tell him the truth, a truth she wasn't even sure she knew herself. Minerva simply asked him to give her some time to think about everything. Being the gentleman he was, he instantly agreed.
It was then that Albus' letter arrived. It was spring 1942, the Americans had formed an alliance with Britain and France and together they were finally able to push Hitler back a little. Minerva's team wasn't needed in France anymore. Aberforth and Magnus were ordered to Germany and Minerva was supposed to return to Hogwarts, where Dumbledore was still teaching and where no one yet knew that Dumbledore was the leader of the Order of Phoenix.
At the last night in France Minerva and Magnus took a long walk together. They talked about their new missions and how both hated the idea of their team being parted. After a while Magnus seemed to get nervous. They walked on in silence for some time till stopped and turned to look at her: "Minerva, I know you may not feel the same way about me as I feel about you, but I've grown to love you over the last year." At that point he took her hand, "I. I probably should have prepared a better speak." He smiled a little and she smiled back, hoping he wouldn't see how uncomfortable she was: "Minerva, dear, I just want to tell you that I love you and I want you to promise me something." Minerva took a deep breath: "I'll try." "Once I return from Germany, you'll have decided what you want. Is that an acceptable demand? I don't want to put you under any pressure, but I need to know how you feel. Should you decide that a life with me wouldn't be that bad after all, then I'd be more than happy to make you happy. Should you decide against a life with me, I'll accept that." Minerva didn't dare to look into his eyes. "You'll have some time to think about my proposal and whatever you do, let your heart decide." Minerva felt tears building up in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back: "I promise, but only if you promise me that you will come back." Magnus smiled reassuringly at her and they silently, but still holding hands resumed their walk.
The rest was history Minerva thought bitterly. Magnus returned to Hogwarts in 1943, he was a different man, not the Magnus she had gotten to know in France, he had changed to a bitter man, drawn by the horrors he had seen, disappointed in magic and the wizarding world. She had seen his eyes lightening up when he had seen her and she had seen the sparkle disappear as sudden as it had come, when she told him her answer was no. She had battled with herself for a long time, thinking about the pros and contras. It was only when she remembered Magnus' last advice for her that she came to a conclusion. She let her heart decide and her heart decided against Magnus and for someone else. Magnus was very hurt, she saw it, but he pretended to be all right. Albus was worried about his younger brother and had long, intense talks with him, but it was too late, Magnus had already made up his mind. After a last long conversation with Albus and Minerva he said goodbye to the wizarding world, a world that had only brought him pain and disappointment and he swore to never return. One year later Minerva got a letter from him, saying that he lived in the depth of Australia now and was married to a lovely Muggle woman in her early thirties who didn't know he was a wizard and who loved him just as much as he loved her. Minerva was truly happy for him, but Europe was still in war, the Germans being almost defeated. Hitler, driven crazy by his vision to rule the world and kill all Jews, still send thousands of soldiers to the front and into their certain death. Grindelwald on the other hand was as powerful as ever and the Order of Phoenix had a hard time fighting his dark troops. Many lost their life in great battles that took place between the two opposing forces.
In March 1945 then she and Albus had a long conversation in which he informed her of his future plans. Grindelwald had lost some of his power due to new battles and the best time to fight him down was some time soon. There was no hope for Germany anymore, they would lose the war, it was only a question of time. Their only hope was Grindelwald and his troops that still supported Hitler and his soldiers. There was going to be a wizarding conference in April that had to be kept safe. Albus would attend it as well as many other wizards and witches of the Order of Phoenix and it would be on this conference that Albus would step out of the shadows and present the Order of Phoenix to the rest of the wizarding world. On this conference Albus hoped to convince other wizards to join the Order and he hoped to finish his plans for the last fight against Grindelwald. In the following month Minerva met with a dozens of people. She found a safe place for the conference to be held, put curses everywhere around that area so that dark wizards would be detected as soon as they got too close to the building and she ensured the safe journey of most of the attendants of the meeting.
It was still a mystery to Minerva how the conference could have gone so horribly wrong nevertheless. Most wizards and witches had already arrived at the hotel where the conference would take place, when one of the alarms went off. There was a dark wizard in an underground station not too far away from the hotel. She quietly informed Albus, who didn't seem to be surprised at all: "I thought he'd come." Minerva had looked at him puzzled and when he attempted to leave the room, she held him back: "Who came? Grindelwald? What exactly are you going to do?" He had simply smiled gently at her: "What I have to do my dear. This war has lasted long enough, it's time for me to do something about it." She didn't let go of his arm though: "But you can't do it all on your own, you'll get yourself killed, Albus, take Aberforth with you." But the older wizard just took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze: "Minerva, I am the only one who can do this. Me alone. Don't worry, everything will be all right." And with that he let go of her hand and disappeared in front of her eyes. Minerva had stood frozen for a minute, before turning around and calming down the other wizards and witches, there was nothing else she was able to do. Grindelwald fell that night, killed by a man that now became one of the most famous wizards in the world. The underground station was completely destroyed after the battle, forty-five muggles and wizards lost their lives down there, because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. World War II ended only one month later, the Germans capitulating on May 7th 1945. Albus returned to Hogwarts as if nothing had happened and it was only years later that Minerva would get to hear the true story of what happened that night of the 4th of April down in a dark underground station in London between Dumbledore and Grindelwald..
A loud explosion made Minerva return to the presence. The three children, by now almost asleep, were wide awake again, their eyes wide with fear. Arthur and Molly Weasly weren't able to hide their concern either. Minerva silently got up, the first explosion followed a second. "Whoever the are," she thought, "they are in Hogwarts now.."
Well, well "Order of Phoenix" I know I am very creative, but this has nothing to do with the fifth Harry Potter book. Please review, I have to know what you think of the way the story is developing, if it is after all.. No more history in the next chapters I promise (well, at least not that much ;) ).