Chapter II

I'm bound by the life you left behind

She could not open her eyes. She tried but she could not.

The air felt cold and numb, just like her body. She could hear voices now, indistinctly talking about matters that surely did not concern her. Nothing concerned her now; she cared about nothing, not even her own life.

Even though she desired not to hear anything, words began to be clearer every second.

"…she should already be awaken," said a worried voice in a hush, "I believe she does not want to wake. There are so many burdens on her back… She has concealed within herself, where no harm can reach her."

"Whatever it is, Poppy," said a growling voice she recognized as Moody's, "I believe we all agree that Minerva cannot possibly be left without protection."

"I highly doubt she will agree, Alastor," said Lupin softly, "Minerva is very proud and will never accept an auror by her side."

Suddenly, someone had burst into tears.

"Can't… can't you all see what's happening?" shouted the Medi-witch at the rest. Whoever they were, the new Headmistress could not care less. "She has closed herself within the boundaries of her mind! She does not want to live any more and you are all making plans!"

"Have I really concealed within myself?" Minerva asked herself but her lips did not move. Nothing of her body really moved. Not that she cared, of course. While Poppy explained that, in spite of the fact that all of her organs were working perfectly to keep her alive, she refused to come back from that fake coma she had entered.

"She may even be hearing us now, comprehending every single word," continued Poppy. "She may not even care."

"Can't we…" started Tonks, but Poppy interrupted her.

"She won't wake up for us. No one among us is capable of bringing her back to life. There was only someone who could, but he is already dead."

"There must be someone," insisted Tonks, sadly. "Someone she loves… a mother, a father… siblings…"

Moody piped in.

"They are all dead," he said in a growl, "Killed by Voldemort himself, the three of them. She has no family, no one left in her world."

"If she wakes up, I reckon it will be just out of her desire for revenge. He has taken away so much from her; if she returns, it will be just because she wants to," said Poppy.

No one said much after that. Or perhaps she did not want to hear anymore and closed her hearing completely again. She felt safe now. So safe. Poppy was right; no harm could reach her now and her thoughts could be entirely with Albus, dwelling in their memories, some good… some bad.

She was walking now in her own mind, where each memory seemed like a window in an endless corridor, with images of each memory flashing quickly. She walked towards one of those windows and she entered a memory.

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Sunlight was entering like a cascade to the shaggy room. A pair of dark eyes opened lazily.

It was so strange to see herself sleeping, as now Professor McGonagall did. The Minerva from her memory was forty years younger and homeless, having left her former companion and not being able to find a house so quickly, or perhaps she had not cared to do that.

She had leaded the squad to follow and hunt down Tom Riddle, the man who would become Lord Voldemort some years later, and his minions, the soon-to-be Dead Eaters. He had escaped a few days ago, for he knew she would never stop hunting him.

Now, with nothing to follow, Minerva was still renting a room in The Leaky Caldron, even though these were shaggy and unclean. However, she did not care now. A soft knock on her door made her jump on her bed.

"Who is it?" she asked cautiously, as though she was expecting a Dead Eater.

"It is Tom, ma'am, the tenant."

Minerva wrapped her clothes around her and got up. Last night she did not even changed into a proper nightgown; she had just arrived straight to bed. She opened the door, which squeaked loudly.

"Oh, this month's money… I am sorry, I completely forgot I should have paid you yesterday…" she said, and went straight to the small wardrobe on the wall. She opened it and extracted a small leather pouch, which carried several coins. "I am so ashamed…"

"Ma'am… there is no need to…"

"Here it is," she interrupted, opening the pouch. "How much do I owe you?"

"Save your money, Ma'am," he said, gently. "I cannot possibly charge the woman who was pursuing my brother's murderer."

Minerva lowered her head sadly.

"The persecution has ended," she said painfully. "Tom Riddle has fled from England and we were unable to catch him. I insisted we should follow him, but the Minister seemed to think that now he is the trouble of another country. I he ever comes back, he will pay for everything he did, mark my words."

Tom said nothing, but he showed her something he was carrying in his hand. It was a letter. Even though she had not looked at it for too long, she could know where it came from; the paper, the seal, the writing… it all screamed "Hogwarts".

"What is that, Tom?" she asked, pointing the letter.

Tom looked confused for a moment, and then he gaped at the letter.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Ma'am," he said, "This is for you. I have the feeling that your life is going to change now."

Minerva raised her eyebrows as she took the letter. Tom smiled and left her alone. She sat on her bed and opened the letter as quickly as she could.

Dear Miss McGonagall:

I am pleased to inform you that, due to your excellent NEWT and OWL grades here at Hogwarts, you have been considered to fulfill the Transfiguration Teacher post.

The unfortunate murder of Armando Dippet has left us all terribly empty, so I had to take his position as Headmaster. Therefore, my old post is available so I would like to have a meeting with you as soon as possible to settle the terms of your, or so I expect, new job.

I do hope you don't consider this petition hurried, after all you have been through lately. But dear Professor McGonagall, we all need to continue and I do believe at Hogwarts you will find the peace you need and perhaps the moment to mourn for your lost family.

Sincerely,

Professor Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

She crumpled the later and threw it into the fire, furiously.

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Minerva walked away of that memory and continued to walk in her own mind. Soon, she found another memory worth remembering.