~~*~~A Turn of Events~~*~~

Summary: There's a war raging in Europe and Minerva McGonagall is working undercover. As if that wasn't enough, she finds herself torn between two men and fighting for her life in a world where things aren't always as they appear.

Disclaimer: The entire world of Harry Potter belongs solely to JKR. We are just having fun!

A/N: This story was originally posted to the Infinite-Incantatem website under the pen name Ang. It has been reworked and split into chapters. This is one of our more fanciful stories with a few unsupported theories although we try to keep it as canon as possible. In addition, the order referred to in the story is not the Order of the Phoenix but rather what we imagine to be its' predecessor.

~An Unexpected Visitor~

Minerva threw her cloak onto the tattered bed and with a sigh collapsed into the nearest chair. It had been a long day and she still had to make dinner and go through some important reconnaissance photos and notes before going to bed. Since it wasn't going to get done by itself, she hauled herself up and headed to the stove. Minerva took the lid off of the large pot and took a deep breath. Her spaghetti sauce was one of the best around if she did say so herself and it had the delightful aspect of being inexpensive. She was glad she had the foresight of starting it last night. Now all she had to do was boil some pasta and grill some of the fresh bread she had picked up with a little garlic sauce of her own invention. She was expecting a guest tonight and had made plenty to go around.

The Order had not told her who would be bunking with her. She knew only that it was someone important and they needed to stay hidden for a while. Glancing at the muggle clock, she decided to do some work while dinner was heating. Just as she was settling in, there was a knock at the entrance. Creeping to look out the peephole, she saw that the person was holding a necklace with a moving dragon charm in front of them. She opened the door and stepped back. A tall figure in a dark cloak stepped inside. Minerva became a little nervous at the intimidating presence and fetched the quill off of her pile of papers.

"Please come inside and take a seat. I wasn't sure when you would arrive. I was about to sit down to dinner if you are hungry." The large figure pulled their hood down and Minerva's eyes went wide with astonishment. With a giant smile on her face, she hugged the man who had been revealed. "Professor Dumbledore, I certainly wasn't expecting you tonight. What a pleasant surprise. It has been a long time since we have talked."

Returning her hug and giving her one of his twinkling smiles, he returned the sentiment. "Well, hello to you as well Minerva. I almost didn't recognize my favorite student. Please call me Albus. If I remember correctly you graduated quite a few years ago." Placing his cloak on a hook near the door he turned to face his former student once more. "It smells wonderful in here and I would love some dinner."

Minerva could tell Albus was weary and putting down her quill, they shared a quiet meal, as they were both engrossed in Order business. When they were finished, Minerva started washing the dishes and stored the leftovers in the icebox.

Albus smiled to himself as he watched Minerva out of the corner of his eye. He knew she was destined to be a great witch but she had done so much in such a short period of time that even he was surprised. He had followed her career as an auror and they had corresponded by owl a couple of times a year. Then she had joined the Order and he had lost track of her until recently. Now here she was living as a muggle and spying on the activities of Grindelwald's troops.

Minerva was muttering a bit about the soapy water she had her hands immersed in and Albus couldn't help but smile. She couldn't use magic because it would be detected and she may lose her cover. Only the Order headquarters and specially set-up outposts spread throughout Europe had enough power to combat the detection spells. He supposed her wand had been transfigured into the quill she had secured in her pocket. How very typical of Minerva.

His chuckle made Minerva turn around and give him a piercing stare. "What do you find so amusing, Albus?" It was strange for her to be calling her old professor by his first name but she wasn't going to argue with him on the point.

"I was just thinking how typical it is of you to have transfigured your wand into a quill."

"Well, it is light so I can carry it wherever I go, it doesn't draw suspicious looks and it is very useful with all the work I have to do." At her pronouncement, Albus couldn't contain his laughter any longer.

"Minerva dear, I am sorry. You are right, of course; it is an excellent choice. It is just the item I would have picked for you. Please, do not be offended."

Since he looked so sincere and she was a bit uncomfortable in this new situation, she graced him with a small smile before finishing her work for the night. She offered him a cup of tea and sat opposite from him at the table. Albus was the first to break the silence.

"How long have you been doing reconnaissance for the Order? I'd like to know what happened to you since the last owl we exchanged."

Minerva's eyes took on a far away look as she thought about all that had happened. She decided it was best if she skimmed over most of it. He wouldn't want to know how much danger she was actually in on a regular basis with all her trips in the field. "Let's see, I joined a little over a year ago. A few of the aurors I worked with closely decided to join with me once we found out about the Order. Thanks to you. I have been stationed in France for the past nine months. I had lots of training before I was sent out here. I was a prime candidate because of my background and animagus abilities. Again, thanks to you. I travel around a bit but this has mostly been my home. I use my time to spy on the muggle troops in the area. It is believed, as I am sure you know, that Grindelwald's movement and plans are directly related to theirs."

Albus had a few more questions and Minerva answered them all with a great passion. She had a deep belief in what she was doing. More so than most he had met. Albus also knew she was keeping things from him. He would know more about her background once he left for France's headquarters but for now he needed to lay low. Soon they were both exhausted and pulling out a cot for Albus, they each settled down for the night.

Over the weeks, Minerva and Albus developed a pattern. Both were gone from the house during the day. Usually Minerva arrived home first and would start dinner. On the rare occasion Albus came back sooner, he would do the same. Some nights after their paperwork was completed, they would share stories or play a game of chess. Minerva found herself getting very comfortable around Albus and was no longer bothered by the fact that he had been her professor and mentor.

Tonight she had arrived at home very late. Collapsing at the table, she ate the dinner Albus had prepared earlier and looked over to where he sat by the fire engrossed in reading some top-secret documents. She studied his profile. He had long auburn hair and very patrician features. His eyes were beautiful and seemed to always be smiling. At Hogwarts, many of the girls in Gryffindor had thought he was very good looking and had a crush on the transfiguration professor. She had been among them for a time. Over the years, especially with the tutoring to become an animagus, it had grown into respect and friendship. Now she had those same warm feelings. She approached the fire and sat across from him in a comfortable armchair. "Are you up for a game of chess?"

Looking up at the beautiful young woman across from him, Albus did not think his luck could be any better. "I would love to lose a game of chess to you, Minerva." His eyes twinkled merrily.

Minerva blushed at the compliment. "Now Albus, I only win two out of three games. But I hope to improve those odds over the next few weeks." She went to the cabinet and pulled out the board and pieces. They played several rounds that night and drank some hot chocolate that Albus brewed on the stove. He had surprised her with the drink a week ago. Chocolate and sugar were very hard to come by and she had known better than to ask any questions.

Morning came in with a terrible storm. Rain slashed against the roof and the wind was strong enough to rattle the few windows in the small residence. Minerva woke up to a clap of thunder that shook the house. She lazily stretched in her bed and smiled. Weather like this meant that there would be no work today. Minerva knew that both she and Albus could use a day off. They had been working non-stop and had both slowly been wearing down. Quietly she made her way to the living room to kindle the fire in the stove.

Albus was sitting at the kitchen table in the dark enjoying the display by Mother Nature when Minerva tiptoed into the room. "I already started the fire and have the water warming for tea."

Minerva started at the sound of his voice and he smiled as she made her way over to him. "You could give someone heart failure. I am surprised I didn't notice your presence."

While Minerva lit a few candles around the room to shed a bit of light, Albus retrieved two cups and the loose tea. They worked in a companionable silence for several minutes until they were both seated at the table, warm mugs grasped in their hands.

"Looks like it will be a lazy day. Do you have much to work on?" Minerva tapped her fingers against the wood while she waited for a response.

Albus looked at her closely before answering. "No, nothing pressing. Did you have something in mind?"

Minerva blushed a delicate pink and shook her head. "I was able to get a hold of some fresh fruit and cheese yesterday and was hoping you would join me in a morning picnic by our sitting room fireplace."

She hadn't realized she was holding her breath until he responded. "Nothing would give me greater pleasure."

The morning sped by as Minerva arranged everything. She had shooed Albus out of her hair as he repeatedly asked if she required his assistance. The fresh food was in wonderful condition and smelled delicious. She added a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine she had been saving for a special occasion to the meal. All in all it was turning out to be a more romantic setting than she had originally intended.

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became about her motivation for the picnic. The storm outside seemed to find its' way into her heart. She had developed feelings for Albus and the realization made her both pleased and nervous. After all, he was very much her senior and probably did not feel the same way.

However, she had started down this path and was never one to back down. So later that day, they picnicked by the fireplace and had a wonderful afternoon telling each other stories from their lives. As time passed, Minerva found herself more and more attracted to the man staying in her house but was unable to bring herself to say anything.

Soon the Order contacted her and she had to leave. A new mission was being formed that required her unique abilities. They were headed to a prison where Grindelwald was holding several high profile wizards captive. Her team was to infiltrate the camp and break them out without raising an alarm. She bid a sad farewell to Albus who would be staying at her house while she was away.

To Be Continued…