Yes, I know it's late, but please give me a brake. My sis got married this weekend, and I've worked like twice as many hours as I usually do (and there is no internet connection at work), so I haven't really had a lot of time to write.
But I forced myself to write at least a few paragraphs for you guys, so here they are, I know it's a short chappy, but please don't be too upset.
Chapter 17
(Ok, the last chapter was 1964, this is 1965, towards the end of the school year, let's say spring break)
Albus stared into the clear night sky. Normally this wouldn't really be unusual except it was 4 o'clock in the morning, he was in his own chambers, the twins were with his brother, and Minerva was asleep, in her own chambers.
"Dammit." He said out loud to himself, "Why is life so difficult sometimes Fawkes?" He turned to the bird sitting next to him, who made a soft sound in reply.
"I should be with Minerva, in bed, and fast asleep by now with her in my arms."
"So why aren't you?" Came a sleepy voice from the doorway, which made Albus turn around quickly.
"Minerva? What are you doing awake at this hour?" He said getting up and going over to his wife's side.
"I'm looking for my husband, have you seen him anywhere? He's tall, about your height, annoyingly right all the time, and he talks to a phoenix whenever he's upset about something."
"Nope, haven't seen him." Albus said smiling.
Minerva didn't smile in return, she just wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. "What's wrong my love?"
"Nothing, I just couldn't sleep, that's all."
"Wrong answer, try again." She said, still not moving.
Albus sighed, Minerva was one of the few people who would not let it drop if something was bothering him, "I'm just worried."
"About what?"
"About the future, what else?"
Minerva smiled, "Oh, is that why you were looking at the stars? Did you see anything important?"
"Something's coming, Minerva, something bad, and I didn't need the stars to tell me that, or who it is." He said seriously.
Minerva looked up at him and saw what he meant in his eyes, "He's not going to get me, and I won't let him hurt our children."
"It's not just us I'm worried about Minerva, he's crazy, he was crazy as a student, he was crazy when he started sending you those letters, and he's even crazier now, only he's know more now than he did when he was a student. I fear he may be worse than Grindlewald."
Minerva's head snapped up at his last remark. Albus had never mentioned Grindlewald willingly, and always said that he was the worst dark wizard the world had ever seen. If he thought Riddle was worse, then this was very bad.
"Worse than Grindlewald? Please tell me you're joking Albus."
"I'm afraid I'm not. Grindlewald was mad, but he didn't dedicate himself to the dark arts the way Riddle's been doing. And as much as I hate to admit it, but he was a very talented student, especially considering he wasn't brought up around or even knowing about magic. We're in for another war, Minerva, and I don't want you or Michael and Richard to be casualties in it." He said pulling her closer to him.
"We're not leaving you Albus, and even if he is more powerful than Grindlewald. I love you, I always have, and always will, and there will never be anyone else for me. He'll learn that soon enough." Minerva said coldly, and then gave Albus a warm smile and kissed him gently. "Come to bed, my love, I'm getting cold."
He smiled down at her, "As you wish." He said, kissing her once more before heading towards the bed.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile in a darkened room somewhere in the Black Forest…..
"How many have sworn their allegiance?" A cold voice demanded.
"All, my Lord. They will die for you and the cause, they will sacrifice all that they have." A wizard of about 35 years old said calmly.
"Good, very good. Now, I don't want to stir up to much trouble now, I want to cause ripples in the water, not waves. At least not yet. After we see how well my subjects keep their allegiance, then we'll move on to more 'productive' measures."
"Yes, my Lord. Should I instruct a few of them to attack the first target?"
"Pick out who you think needs to be 'tested', inform me of your choice, and if I approve, then give them the orders. Tell the rest to continue training. The war will start soon, and we will be prepared."
"Yes, my Lord. I'll do that now." He said, bowed, and then left the room.
Lord Voldemort got up from his seat, and walked over to his fireplace, muttering a few words, the fire separated and the back of the fireplace opened up, allowing him to walk through. He made his way down a spiral set of stairs, and turned down a darkened hallway, where the torches on the wall instantly lit up when he walked. He came to a large door, took out a key from his robes, and entered the room.
"Yes, soon the stupid muggle scum will be destroyed, I will rule, and SHE will be MINE!" He laughed aloud as he set a picture of Albus Dumbledore on fire, while behind him candles surrounded a picture of Minerva McGonagall as a shrine to 'his Lady'.
End of Part 17
Ok, I'm trying to keep this as true to the books as it can be, and in the first book Albus said that before Voldemort disappeared it had been 11 years since anyone's really been happy. So in my fic, 1969/1970 is when Voldemort REALLY starts to attack and torture everyone, but before then they were just killings here and there, and there wasn't really a name to go with the killings.
Depending on my schedule this next week, I might have the next chapter up sometime early next week, but it might not be until that weekend if I'm busy. HOPED YOU LIKED THIS PART!!!!