```Chapter 4```

Tom wrapped his fingers around a curl that hung in Minerva's face and felt it delicately between his fingers, so softly that Minerva could not even feel her hair being moved from her face. Briellie and Albert looked worried for their daughter's safety. Grindelwald stared at Tom in anticipation. Tom released the curl and planted a gentle kiss on Minerva's forehead that lasted only a fraction of a moment before he pulled away and looked at Grindelwald.

"Do not take this as an insult milord, because I like her very much, but I would much rather court her than cause her harm. I've been considering the idea that we use this place as a head quarters so that we are not suspected in the least. Mr. Malfoy's house is causing great suspicion, but a family household such as the McGonagall's would be almost inconspicuous." Tom said, looking at Grindelwald expectantly. Grindelwald stroked his unshaved chin thoughtfully.

"I believe you have a valid point Voldemort, but you also must consider that our dear Miss McGonagall may have some of her friends or colleagues visiting her. Dumbledore may come here." Grindelwald gritted his teeth. Tom's features contorted in rage.

"He should not be feared milord. He can be disposed of." Tom said fiercely. Minerva fought valiantly to keep her facial features in check and not to give away the slightest indication of her feelings for Dumbledore.

"Everything should be feared. I thought you would have learned that from being my apprentice for so long. You must fear everything in moderation. Dumbledore poses more of a threat than any one who is our hostage." Grindelwald glared at Tom before a small smile slid over his face. "But I think we now have a way to destroy him." And with that his gaze turned to Minerva.

Minerva's parents both looked at her with horror in their eyes, and Minerva knew why.

'Oh God. Dumbledore will get destroyed! Of course he'd come! He and Da have been friends for so long and he would- oh God.'

"The question is are they close enough?" Grindelwald smiled slightly as all three family members got a fresh wave of defiance across their faces.

"I'll go fetch the veritaserum." Tom volunteered, a happy glint in his eyes. He trotted out of the room like a self-satisfied dog.

Grindelwald sneered and shut the door behind Tom very softly. He turned to the three with a sneer on his face.

'Oh God.' Minerva thought helplessly as Grindelwald moved towards her mother. Briellie squirmed away from Grindelwald and towards her husband, hindered by the ropes that bound her wrists and ankles almost too tightly.

"Stop." Grindelwald said and he knelt down next to her, placing a foot on the rope that hung off of Briellie's ankle.

"Don't hurt her!" Minerva gasped as Grindelwald drew his wand. Grindelwald did not pay attention to her as he muttered one of the three curses Minerva would grow to lament and loathe with every strand of her being.

Minerva closed her eyes and felt her stomach run cold again. Albert looked away and Grindelwald murmured another charm and the ropes fell away from Briellie and she stood up gracefully.

"Can you tell me what spell I've just used Miss McGonagall?" Grindelwald asked, starting to resemble a schoolteacher with the way he looked.

"The Imperious Curse." Minerva answered tonelessly, not daring to look at her mother.

"Good. I see that your schooling wasn't a waste. And can you tell me what it does?" he asked as Briellie went to sit on the couch in front of the fireplace, all of her facial features calm and rather distantly dreamy.

"It allows who ever cast it to have complete control over whomever they have cast it on by merely thinking of what they want to person to do." Minerva said dully, looking helplessly at her father, whom was staring at her mother with a heart-broken expression.

"Very good." Grindelwald smirked as Tom came back in the room, holding a small vile. "Now my mud-blood pet, drink." Grindelwald snatched the vile from Tom's hands and shoved it towards Briellie. Briellie closed her elegant fingers around the vile and gently and carefully unscrewed the top and put it to her lips.

"Briellie don't do it! Please." Albert's voice sounded strained and he tried in vain to keep his voice from cracking.

"Albert, are you scared for your wife?" Grindelwald asked, mocking tone ever evident in his voice. Albert did not answer, but stared at Briellie's face, which began flickering from panic to calmness so rapidly it was frightening.

"Stop that! You're scaring her!" Minerva shouted, anger and rage etched on every line of her face. Tom moved forward to stroke Minerva's hair to reassure her but Minerva bit his hand and held her teeth in his flesh tightly. Tom threw his hand about but Minerva did not let go.

"Let go!" Tom shouted, punching her hard in the temple. Minerva immediately let go as she struggled to stay conscious as waves of pain rushed he spot on her temple where Tom had hit her.

She faintly heard her father call out her name as she sank into the waves of unconsciousness unwillingly.

The next morning Minerva woke up around noon, sunlight streaming through the windows and feeling completely relaxed and wonderful. She sat up and looked around the bedroom and realized that she was home in her bedroom. Then the realizations of what had happened hit her hard.

"No." Minerva whispered out loud to herself. 'It was all a horrible nightmare. There was no Grindelwald here. That's such a silly thing for me to think! And how terrible! Mum and Da like that!" Minerva shook her head and let her curls bounce around her head.

She slid out of bed and looked approvingly at the spot on the floor where the bloodstain had been in her dream to find it gone. She smiled slightly when she saw a muggle summer dress laid out on the chair for her. Her mother and Moosy the house elf always laid out her clothes for her, and had since she was a child.

'How wonderful to be home.' Minerva thought as she sat in front of the vanity and began brushing out her hair. She tried in vain to recall what had happened last night but couldn't so sub consciously she made up memories of receiving a warm homecoming and a special dinner as always.

She smiled to herself and decided not to get dressed and go straight to break-fast, knowing that her mother would undoubtedly refuse to get dressed properly until after breakfast and wear her nightgown all night.

Minerva looked at the light green nightgown she was wearing and decided it was appropriate enough and she didn't need her dressing gown, since it was summer anyways and the house was always warm.

Minerva walked lightly down the stairs and to the kitchen when she saw her beloved house elf, Moosy.

"Good morning." Minerva said cheerily, stepping around the elf carefully. The house elf looked up at her moodily and it wasn't for a few moments before Minerva remembered why.