Summer Terror
The summer had gone as smoothly as one could expect in a war against good and evil. The Order had had many battles with Death Eaters and won most of them. Things were going well until one late June evening. There was an attack upon the Granger House, Hermione's parents had been murdered and now she was missing.
The house had been set on fire, massive flames licked greedily, destroying the top story of the house. The Order had managed to arrive in time to put the flames out and save the bottom part of the house. On the front door, secured by a dagger, hung a note that read 'Minerva, I know and now she will pay for your discretions against me and my followers, Lord Voldemort.'
When Minerva saw the note she nearly collapsed. She quickly grabbed the note and dagger placing them in her robes. The members of the Order stared at her had wondered why the note was written personally to her. Minerva managed to pull herself together and started barking orders. When everyone had left she ran into the woods, dropped to the ground and cried. She was so frightened for Hermione, her Hermione. She would never forgive herself if something had happened to her precious daughter. After she collected herself she set out for headquarters.
When she arrived she was not surprised to see the Weasleys (with the exception of Percy), Harry, Hagrid and some other Order members. She briefed them on the situation and watched their faces as tears were shed for their friend. Afterwards, Alastor Moody asked the question that no one else would. "What was the note referring to Minerva?"
Minerva sighed inwardly. She knew they would ask but she couldn't tell them the truth, at least not the complete truth. Her mind gushed with possible explanations until she decided on a simple one. "It was referring to my activities as an Auror."
"You were an Auror," he asked with surprise. He had been an Auror for decades and never once had he ever heard of her being one.
She smiled at the surprised and shocked looks on their faces. "Have you ever heard of Lady Katharine?"
She watched most people nod but some shook their heads no. Moody explained, "Lady Katharine was the first female Auror in Ministry history and the greatest female since. Supposedly, she was a spy, the one who supplied the information that led to the downfall of many dark leaders. It's said that she had the ability to penetrate groups no one else could. I assumed that it was a story invented by the Ministry hoping to recruit more females."
"It's not a story," she said then added, "She's right here."
"Well bloody hell! Why did you use a different name?" someone in the back of the room asked.
She was quiet for a while, so quiet that they thought she would not answer. "I knew the kind of missions that I would be sent on. Being the only female, I knew I would have to use certain womanly charms and I did not want my reputation to be less than proper. When I was recruited I made one demand, to be known as a different name so I could protect my family name from the shame I knew would come."
Everyone quieted trying to overcome the shock that Minerva McGonagall was an Auror and that she used womanly charms to get the information she needed. Finally Moody asked another question. "Why would Hermione be punished for something you did?"
"She will be the next great female Auror and he knows that." With that said, she stood and left for her bedroom.