A/N: It is time for a longer A/N here. About the rating: I chose 'M', but ff.net has changed its rating patterns and thus rated this story 'PG-13'. Now, I chose the rating carefully and for a reason. This chapter is one of them. So this is rated: M

For the number of claws: I asked and been told by my dear beta that there are four. If not, kindly overlook that.

Finally, this his to Linds…Happy B-day,, my dear niece.

And now, on with it!

Chapter 17 – She's like the Wind

London was hiding within the thick November fog, making people miserable by its pure sight. The old man sitting in front of a roaring fire was no exception to the rule. Even his beloved hot chocolate could not ease his tension.

Albus Dumbledore didn't feel well. The day at the ministry had been very exhausting and …well…strange. He found it odd that people treated him so strangely. True, he had never shown any intention of becoming Minister, but after Cornelius' death somebody had to take over. And since he knew the school was in capable hands….

Why did the officials seem to avoid him? Even his old friends? Albus' thoughts went back to his encounter with Arthur Weasley shortly before lunch. He had approached him with a smile and some warm greetings, inquiring after Molly's health. Normally polite and jovial Arthur's answer had been extremely short and …well…almost rude. Later he had heard him whispering to Kingsley Shacklebolt: "Asks after my wife…. The nerve….Should be caring more about his woman, than making conversation about mine…"

Minerva? What was it about Minerva? And where was she? Why didn't she come? Didn't she miss him at all?

He sighed. Staring into his now cold chocolate, Albus realized that his uneasiness was due to Minerva's continuing absence. He couldn't do without her for long. He just didn't function well without her. Her strength, her loyalty, her utter trust and, last but not least her love, were what made him go on. After 25 years their love didn't need many words anymore. Their happiest moments were those quietly spent reading in front of a fireplace, curled up on the same sofa. No words were necessary, just a warm and tender touch.

Albus sighed again. He missed her. He missed her sharp intelligence, her constant working, her warm embraces that made him feel safe, her kisses that made him want more, the triumphant sparkle of her eyes when she beat him at chess. He even missed those dangerous flares of her fiery Scottish temper that made him run for cover sometimes. He missed her. Period.

With Minerva by his side, he could move the world. Without her, he wasn't what he used to be. He felt weak. And alone. It seemed as if he lost some of his powers without his love by his side. Was it possible? One thing was clear, his abilities at Occlumency had diminished rather greatly. Some of his former Transfiguration specialties did not work anymore. His spells didn't seem to have the same effect as usual.

He was losing his edge. Had old age just finally caught up with him? Or was Minerva indeed the missing piece? Or was it something he didn't dare to think possible?…

*

The cottage was filled with four excited people. All four seemed to be talking at once.

"Minerva. Uray. Melina. Please, I cannot understand a word." Baldur tried to get the attention of the others.

"I can't believe it…This is incredible….I never thought of this…"

"SILENCE!" Baldur finally yelled. His three companions shot around and faced him in shock.

Minerva's hand went to her throat. "Merlin, Baldur, with a shout like that you could quiet the Great Hall in an instant."

He grinned somewhat sardonically "If only it worked in class." Now it was Minerva's turn to grin. He continued. "However, if you all talk at once, there is no chance for me to understand what all this commotion is about." He sat down in an armchair. "Minerva, please tell me what happened in your dream."

The others seated themselves too.

"Very well." Minerva started. "Last night, I dreamed of the day I told my family about my animagus form. As Uray will tell you, nobody was pleased to hear that I wouldn't turn into an eagle, but into a cat. Basically they told me that I would never succeed, because I would not become the right animal."

Baldur nodded. "And then?"

Minerva took a deep breath. "Well, I had this dream before, but it never focused on my parents. This time was the first." She paused. "Later in the dream, I went to my parents room to ask them about it.  But I never talked to them. When I was about enter their room, I heard them talking about me very agitatedly."

"What did they say?"

"My mother was very shocked about the cat."

"Well, so were we." Uray chimed in.

His sister shot him a glare. "Yes, but she didn't expect an eagle. She expected an owl."

"Which is unbelievable." Uray said. "As if she expected you to live up your namesake."

His sister nodded. By now she seemed to have only eyes for Uray, but the other two occupants kept staring at her with keen interest. "That is the odd thing. Mama and Pa originally planned to name me Rhea, but after a vision of Mama's they changed that to Minerva. Mama said that I would live up to my name, but she feared I couldn't do it without being an owl."

"Does that mean, in one way or the other, you shall show the powers of the ancient goddess Minerva?" Melina asked, barely audible.

Minerva looked at her for a long time. Then she did the same with her brother and Baldur. Finally she said heavily: "It would seem so. Though I don't know how. And I don't know how that could help us save Albus."

Silence became heavy. "Maybe this is not about saving Dumbledore, my dear Minerva." Baldur at last said. "Maybe you should stop making him your first aim." Seeing her opening her mouth in protest, he held up a warning hand. "No, try to understand. Voldemort wanted you removed from Hogwarts. You. And only you! Like you, I do believe that this wasn't really Dumbledore's doing. Considering that the Dark Lord plans to do something in the school in three weeks time and that we know his plan fails with you, I'd say your focus should be on finding out how you fit into this whole thing."

Minerva bristled. "How am I supposed to find that out, when I am stuck here?"

Baldur remained calm. "Well, you focus on changing your animagus form. If your dream is any indication, we'll turn you into an owl. Afterwards, you should probably practice flying a bit. I am sure this will be enough of a challenge for you, since we have less than three weeks."

Then he turned to Uray and Melina. "I suggest that you two find out exactly which powers of Minerva this lady here could have. Which of them can she use against Voldemort. And which powers he could fear. And you'll need to find out how the school ties in." Father and daughter nodded.

Baldur sighed. "But let us do the choosing session now. If you are up to it, of course."

Minerva nodded solemnly.

"Do you want us to leave?" Melina asked.

Her aunt shook her head no. Nipps refused as well. "It might be better if you stay here. The session will be very trying and probably painful. Your presence might prove of invaluable help. Just come over and sit next to her, but don't touch her."

They did as he asked and seated themselves next to Minerva, who sat on a low stool in front of Baldur.

"Are you ready?" Minerva nodded. He put his hand onto her forehead. "Very well then. Close your eyes and clear your mind. Empty it until there is only a grey haze….Emergo Animagum!"

Being the skilled animagus she was, Minerva had no problem slipping into the trance. Almost immediately, the haze started to clear in the front and the first thing she saw was the blackish grey tabby cat running up to her and purring. But just like her former attempts, she ignored the offer and took two steps closer to the indiscernible mass of animals in the background.

Behind her the cat hissed angrily, the fur on its back standing on end. The sound tugged at her heart, but she ignored it again and made another step towards the mass. The cat meowed in fury and jumped after her, with her claws out. They were very sharp and upon making contact with the skin on her legs left eight deep cuts. Minerva took a deep breath to suppress the pain and took another step. But once the cat had scratched her, she did it again and again. Now the cuts were numerous and bleeding heavily and Minerva felt the blood running down her legs. 'Don't look down. Ignore it. Look up for a bird.' She chanted to herself.

But now, the cat was already biting her calves. Unable to hold back the pain any longer, Minerva looked down and almost fainted upon what she saw. Not so much that she was naked in this vision (she had been so in all her other visions too), but she was almost ankle deep in her own blood now. And the tabby cat was still clawing her relentlessly.

'Dear Merlin please, help me.' She prayed 'Let this owl that should be mine come soon. I can't stand the pain any longer. Help me. Help me!'

In the cottage Melina and Uranos looked at each other terrified. Minerva's muttered chanting had turned into a scream of pain and there was a small pool of blood on the floor where she sat. They looked at Baldur, who was staring with utmost concentration at Minerva, but saw no sign from him.

In the vision, Minerva struggled to take another step forward, but slipped in the sticky pool of blood and fell. She screamed in pain and fear, fully expecting the furious cat to jump onto her and violate her further, but at this exact moment she heard the familiar cry of an owl, just like those during mail delivery in the Great Hall.

For a minute or two, nothing happened. Instead everything was utterly quiet. With great effort and care, so as not to induce even more pain from her injuries, Minerva rose from the ground, just enough to turn her head and see what happened. The view made her eyes go wide. The tabby cat, now pacified, sat down with its head hung in shame in front of a impressive grey and brown owl, with a strong black beak and wise amber eyes. Despite herself Minerva smiled. It seemed as if the owl was scolding the cat, which ridiculously reminded her of doing the same with Ms. Granger some weeks ago.

After some time the cat raised its head to the owl and received a short slap with the wing on its head. The tabby cat meowed shortly, to which the owl hooted importantly. Then the discussion seemed to be finished.

The cat turned towards Minerva and took some steps closer. The woman flinched. But the cat came closer and put her head into Minerva's hand, expecting to be petted. Looking into the owls face, the bird seemed to give its permission, which Minerva followed gladly. While she was stroking the kitten's head the owl flew closer too and hooted softly. Then she extended her other hand and started to pet the bird as well, thus sealing the agreement.

Three content noises could be heard: A meow, a hoot and the sigh of a woman.

"Minerva. Minerva? Minerva!" Baldur Nipps' voice broke into McGonagall's feeling of contentment.

"Minerva! Come back. This is enough!" When the annoying voice didn't stop, the woman opened her eyes and stared uncomprehendingly at her companions.

"I found it." She finally sighed happily. "I found them both and we'll get along just fine."

"I know." Baldur answered with a tender smile. "You really did it. I am very proud of you."

Her smile was serene and almost giddy as she leaned into her brother, feeling the exertion now. "Thank you, Baldur."

"It was my pleasure." His eyes lingered on her a little longer. "Now, you must sleep. You are completely exhausted."

She nodded sleepily and staggered into a standing position. "'m really 'xhaust'd" she muttered.

Melina caught her as she swayed. "Yes you are…if you even admit it yourself." The younger woman grinned. "But first, let me treat your injuries."

Her aunt only nodded groggily and fell heavily on to the bed. Uray and Meli helped her to get comfortable, by removing her outer robes, her boots and stockings that were soaked with blood. Then Meli took some potion out of her Auror-emergency pack and applied it to the scratches. With the help of some healing spells courtesy of Uray, the scratches diminished fast and only some red lines remained.

Minerva only half realized this. Shortly before she fell asleep at least, Uray heard her muttering. "Bring me whistles, will ye."

Chuckling, the three made their way to the passage to have a small celebration.

~~~

Comments:

Child-of-the-Dawn: I aim to please. I really do.

Isabelle3: Uhm, yes, you'll have to wait a bit more. But, hey, you speak German? *g*

Chicken13(): Who? Okay, just kidding…just wait and see.

Lazy to sign in: I thought that was my line…never mind. You make me hungry, but since I am a good cook….here is more.

VoyICJ: Of course, I am mean. You didn't know that? Lol. But never fear, I'm not done yet…the fun just started.

Jestana: Thank you. But what does Minerva plan to do? Did my muse tell you before me? Rats! Hehee. But really, an eagle doesn't fit Minerva at all.

Palanfanaiel: Whoah, not so fast. So many questions. And most of them will be answered indeed. Thanks for your compliments.

LinZE: "Language, Dickie…"…okay, okay…you get them….no need to get impatient here…..

Anyway, thank you all for taking the time to review. And thanks to those, who read and don't review *though I think I don't give you any of my nice cookies anymore*. Please, do me a favour and let me know what you think. I don't like to write in a vacuum…so please, do use that little button down there.