Chapter 2: An Encounter With the Greatest Wizard of All Time
A/N: For readers of chapter 1 who wonder how Minerva would know AK—Minerva literally reads every single book she can get her hands on. As her father is a wizard, he would have plenty of books about magic. She also has unlimited time to steal her father's wand and practice spells with it when her father isn't around.
"Shocking, shocking...It's a miracle the man's still alive. That was one hell of a curse," said the Healer fervently.
Albus Dumbledore looked down at the man lying on the bed. Thomas McGonagall's breathing was harsh and shallow, and although he was alive, the chances of his living much longer were small.
"You say the daughter did this?" Dumbledore asked quietly, his tone incredulous.
The Healer nodded. "I suppose her magic wasn't quite strong enough to finish him off."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "No child can possess the amount of hatred required, regardless of the circumstances. How did the father get here?"
"Oh, the mother brought him in. She's in a bad state, and even though she wouldn't admit it, I can definitely believe the girl when she says there was a domestic dispute. She wouldn't say anything about the circumstances that led up to it. She strikes me as being use to this sort of thing."
"Is the daughter here, too?"
The Healer jerked his head towards the open doorway, and Dumbledore, whose attention had been focused on the man lying on the bed, noticed the young girl standing in the shadows behind the door. She stepped forward and looked at Dumbledore curiously. The woman with her looked at Dumbledore and gasped.
"Minerva," she whispered, "that is the greatest wizard of all time."
Dumbledore absolutely loathed people who used this line, so he was grateful that the girl responded to this statement with a very skeptical raised eyebrow. When her mother glared at her, shocked by her disinterest, the girl turned her back and walked out of the room. Viola McGonagall sighed and addressed Dumbledore.
"Please don't send her to Azkaban, sir," she whimpered, practically grovelling. "She's my only child, and she wasn't in her right mind when she attacked my husband. Please?"
It was quite possible that Dumbledore loathed people who grovelled even more than people who thought he was the greatest wizard ever to exist. He did feel sorry for the woman, but he had difficulty containing his exasperation when he next spoke.
"Madam," he replied, "the Wizengamot Charter of Rights prohibits children being sent to Azkaban, and even if it didn't, I don't have the authority to arrest people and hand them straight to the dementors. Furthermore, I believe your daughter was acting in your defense, as well as her own. How she knew about the Killing Curse is beyond me, but it is not something that is used lightly. Contrary to your views, I believe she knew exactly what she was doing, and while it might have been a slightly extreme measure, her emotions cannot be expected to be controlled at her age. Judging by the state you are in, I would also say that her actions were quite justified. She was trying to save your life, and I honor her for that. However, to prevent Minerva from performing anymore dangerous magic, I advise you to send her to Hogwarts, where she will be able to get proper training in magic and will learn to control her emotions. That is all I have to say. Good day, Mrs. McGonagall."
A/N: Sorry if Dumbledore seems a little too harsh—he does get irritated by hero worship-type behavior and he's only human, right? Please review!
