His Daughter

Author: Leta McGotor

Disclaimer: I own nothing but some characters like Nostradamus Crehl and the McDrake family including Richard McGonagall. The other belongs to JKR. (A big thank-you goes to my beta Artemis Sprape)

Amy: I have read something about Albus having kids but only one or two times. It's strange that nobody seems to think about him having a family. Thank you for your review.

Starlover88: What are you going to do? To hex me into the next century? Don't forget that we are not wizards and witches and that we can't do magic. Therefore you simply have to wait until the next update. I promise that I try to update as soon as possible. Thank you for reviewing.

SherbetKitty: Richard's death is something I will explain in the next chapters. Sometimes I believe Minerva would be happier to stay unconscious than to… yes, you will read it. Thank you for your dance – I mean, your review.

DamesFan: Nett von dir mal reinzuschauen. Albus und der Mord – ja, ich muss zugeben etwas Derartiges schwebte mir auch vor. Was genau da noch kommt wirst du bestimmt lesen. Danke für dein Review.

Kiwi.307: Thank you for your review.

Tigrlillie21: Problems? I don't know whether I would say problems but yes, he is going to have some… difficulties. Thank you for your review.

Chapter 12:

There was a knock at the door and the two professors, who had stared confused at each other turned to it simultaneous. An early visitor? Albus couldn't imagine who beside Nostradamus Crehl would visit him at this hour of the day. Shrugging he went to the door and opened it. The disappointed and curious face of Armando Dippet greeted him and next to the headmaster two other men stood waiting.

"Good morning, Armando. I didn't expect you this early. Is there a problem?" Albus tried to sound as airy as possible but even he noted his slight shaking voice. Why was it shaking? There was nothing he had to fear, was there? A small voice in his head repeated what Professor Crehl had said just two minutes ago:Yes Albus, he's dead. Now tell what you had to do with it. Albus swallowed. They couldn't believe that he had something to do with the death of this man, could they?

"I fear there is, Albus. These two gentlemen are from the Ministry and they have some questions they want to ask you. They are questions about somebody named Richard McGonagall. Albus, what is the meaning of all this?" Albus felt the piercing gazes of his two colleages and of the two aurors. Nobody said a word and the pregnant silence was nearly unbearable when Professor Crehl seemed to have found his voice.

"I would suggest you welcome the two ministry officials in your office, Albus."

"Wha…? Yes, yes, of course. Please, come in." The three men followed Albus into his office and Professor Dippet sat down as well as Professor Crehl. The two other remained standing.

"We are here to ask you about the death of Richard McGongall. You know that he is dead?"

"Y-yes. I have read the article."

"So you know where his body was found?"

"Ähm… no. I-I haven't read it but Professor Crehl intended to read it because I was late for breakfast and he thought I might be interested." Why was he that nervous?

"Why did he think that?"

"I… he…"

"Maybe because Professor Dumbledore hated this man above all others and he wanted to tell him that the plan had worked and that his rival was dead, right?", said the other auror without looking at Albus or Professor Crehl.

"No" Albus bellowed. "I…"

"Isn't it right, sir, that the girl he claims to be his daughter is truly yours?"

"Yes, but…"

"Isn't it true that you fought with him about the girl?"

"Yes, we…"

"Isn't it true that the girl was badly hurt while your duel?"

"Yes, she…"

"And isn't it right that Richard McGongall ran away afterwards and that you swore to hunt him and let him pay for what he did?"

"Not quite…"

"Isn't it true, that you told all people around you that you intended to visit your daughter?"

"Yes, because…"

"Isn't it right that nobody can tell when you come and when you leave the hospital?"

"I don't…"

"Isn't it right that you left the hospital early yesterday evening?"

"Yes, because…"

"Isn't it true that you had enough time to kill Richard McGongall in front of the hospital?"

"He was at the hospital?"

"Aswer my question."

"I haven't…"

"No further questions. Professor Dumbledore, we have to ask you to accompany us to the Ministry for Magic to answer other questions before you go to Azkaban to await your trial."

"Wha… pardon?"

"I don't go with him."

"But, my dear, he… he is all you have left after… the murder of your father", answered the medi-witch in hope to persuade Minerva to go with her uncle, the –in her opinion – only family the girl had left.

"The what? My father? What happened? He… he can't be… that's impossible. You are a liar. He is not dead." Minerva answered and crossing her arms sat back on her bed.

"Oh, poor girl. I know it must be hard for you…"

"Nothing is hard for me. My father is alive." The woman only shook her head. "Poor one. Your father was murdered by Albus Dumbledore, your uncle said. I never thought that a man like him…"

"Can you repeat that?"

"Oh, I only said that I never had thought Professor Dumbledore would do… could do something like that. Horrible, isn't it?"

"Albus Dumbledore is alive?"

"Yes, he is and…"

"And why are you telling me my father is dead?" Minerva ignored the bewildered look of the medi-witch, who seemed to understand nothing. The other woman only shook her head again and mumbled something, that sounded like "poor dear, the shock". Then she hurtled out of the room. Minerva only snorted. She hadn't cought the meaning of what the medi-witch had said, but it didn't matter to her at the moment. The only important thing was, that her father – her real father - was alive and surely would pick her up soon. She only needed to wait.

A few minutes later two young men and one woman came into her room. While the men waited near the door the woman gave Minerva her clothes.

"You will need them. It's cold outside and you are too weak.", she said.

"But I'm not going anywhere." Minerva protested. Why didn't the people here understand that she would not go with her uncle?

"But they have said you have to. Your uncle payed for you going with him. You have to."

"No, I haven't. I won't go with him and you can't force me." With that Minerva jumped from her bed and ran to the door. But somehow the way seemed to be longer than she had imagined and halfway she had lost her strenght and had to kneel on the floor to catch her breath again. She felt as if she had run around the whole castle of Hogwarts for several times. She couldn't even breathe properly. Suddenly Minerva felt that somebody lifted her up and sat her in what seemed like a muggle wheelchair.

"You haven't your whole strenght back, yet. Please, understand that and now be quiet and nice and I will bring you to your uncle." Minerva wanted to protest again but she couldn't breathe properly yet, so the only thing she could do was to caugh. "You see you do nothing good for your health when you keep protesting like that." The medi-witch said.

"But…" Minerva caughed.

"And there is one other thing you have to learn: There are no 'but's and no protests. Don't forget from now on you will live under my roof." A voice came from behind Minerva. Slowly she turned around and faced Duncan McDrake. "I won't let you go anywhere anymore. That is a promise."

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