Forgiven and Forgotten

Summary: Albus Dumbledore killed Minerva McGonagall's brother during the fight with Grindlewald. Will she ever be able to forgive him?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters; they all belong to JK Rowling and Warner Brothers.

Chapter One

Minerva was in the gardens of the McGonagall estate with her baby niece, Aurora (not Andrew's daughter, Minerva's sister's daughter), when she saw Albus Dumbledore walking up the path the manor house. She smiled, for he had been one of her favourite teachers at school and she hadn't seen him since she had left. As she walked towards him she noticed that his face had taken on a tired and fraught expression, which hadn't been there a year ago.

"Hello Professor Dumbledore!" She said as she walked along next to him. "I don't think you've met Aurora, have you?"

Albus looked up…surely she wasn't married already? "Always a pleasure to meet a daughter of yours." He smiled, politely.

Minerva blushed and looked at the ground. "You must understand that she is my sister's, Lynn's, not mine!"

Albus mumbled an apology; he didn't think the mood should be jovial. He had come here to tell the McGonagalls that Andrew McGonagall was dead…and that he had killed him. Just then Minerva asked the dreaded question: "What brings you here today? I know that mother and father certainly weren't expecting you, and you must be too busy to come and see us just now unless it's important."

Albus looked up into Minerva's beautiful deep green eyes for a moment, transfixed, and then hastened his step. "I need to speak to your mother and father alone about something connected with the war." There…he had told her the truth, just not what it was exactly.

"I suppose I'll see you later then." She smiled, not really caring about the war anyway. "You will stay for tea later on? I insist. Lynn and her husband, Keith, are here and Michael and his wife, Sarah, are here. I'm sure they would be glad to see you!"

Albus shook his head. "I really cannot stay for more than half an hour, I'm sorry Minerva." From there he walked into the house, leaving Minerva, who was slightly puzzled at his behaviour, outside with the baby.