Minerva was seated at her desk in her office meeting with Filius Flitwick when she was overcame with fury. Her green eyes filled with fire and her body ignited with fire. The flames licked at her clothes and skin but did not burn. She stood up and moved towards Amethyst's perch. "Find Harry and tell him Phoenix Nesting is under attack. I am going now," she said urgently. "You have the wards Filius," she said as she focused back on her Deputy. "Ask Poppy or Helen to be nearby. I am not entirely sure the condition Harry or I will be in upon our return."
Before Filius could say anything else, Minerva flamed out of the room to places unseen by most. "She is amazingly powerful," one portrait said.
"Amazingly beautiful," another said.
"Both are true," Albus' portrait commented. "Her heart makes her even more beautiful. She will never stand down and allow injustices if she has the ability to change it. That is why she remains the best hope Magical Britain has to survive this war."
Filius Flitwick studied Albus' portrait. "You were pushing her into this moment, weren't you? The extra duties, your seemingly questionable behavior that made her deal with certain tasks and your frequent absence from the school?"
Albus smiled sadly and nodded his head yes. "Afraid so my friend," Albus said. "Prudence Slythrein gave a prophecy to the other founders about a Scottish warrior that would forever change Magical Britain and bring forth equality for all magical beings. She saw a green eyed, dark haired witch that bore a Phoenix protector mark and that would teach at the school. She saw how the witch would change Magical Britain before she received her mark."
"Change it how," a portrait asked.
"By changing the mindset of the younger generation," Filuis answered easily. "Minerva was always the hardest on the students. She expected their best and refused to allow nonsense in her classroom. Yet she is the one teacher in this school students from all houses would fight to protect if need be. She became the Light side's leader without realizing it. But you realized it, didn't you?"
"I didn't until Lady Hogwarts pointed it out," Albus answered honestly. "I knew Minerva to be an exceptional student and a master in Transfiguration but I was too arrogant in my younger days to see her true abilities. Lady Hogwarts informed me how Minerva's magic had been bound by her at 11 years old and of her bloodline. I took a step back and reviewed all of my memories of her and was in awe of her abilities, her sheer power. If she was capable of those things with only half of magic, how amazing would she be at full capacity? I started pushing Minerva to her limits at that point. When she survived the stunner incident, I saw how the students treated her. She had became the one they looked to and hope swelled in my heart."
"She recovered rather quickly from them as well," Filius noted thoughtfully.
"She did," Albus said. "I worried about her lack of a Phoenix protector mark though. I thought all hope was lost when she disappeared for weeks earlier this year. I worried she would not be the one foretold about. The moment she revealed her Phoenix tattoo I wept in relief and joy. We would finally win this war and Minerva would ensure Magical Britain changes for the better."
"I was rather shocked by her mate," Filius admitted. "However, after witnessing them together, it makes perfect sense. I daresay they have fallen in love with one another."
"And that only gives me greater hope she will not fail," Albus said. "She has a family to fight for now!"
Minerva arrived in a cloud of flames in the middle of Phoenix Nesting. Witches and wizards dressed in their Death Eater garb were attempting to stun Phoenix birds and place them in magical suppressing cages for transport. Fury filled Minerva as she saw several cages filled and Phoenix birds singing sorrowfully. She raised her wand and started throwing fire spell after fire spell. She would not harm the Phoenix birds but the Death Eaters would regret their decision of causing harm to these majestic creatures.
"Take out McGonagall," she heard a voice yell. She recognized it as Lucius Malfoy.
"Afraid to face her yourself Malfoy," Harry taunted as he arrived to find Malfoy attempting to leave. "You are not leaving now and taking the cowardly way out, are you?"
"Kill them both," Malfoy screamed furiously at being accused of being cowardly as he threw rather dark hexs at Harry.
Suprise showed on her face as Harry easily blocked the spells and sent Auror grade spells back at the Death Eaters closest to him. Minerva then remembered Harold had trained Harry and snapped out of her musings. She turned her attention back to taking out Death Eaters who dared to capture the Phoenix birds.
Minerva focused on taking out the Death Eaters quickly. These Death Eaters had forfeited their lives when they entered Phoenix Nesting. This was a sacred place and had to be protected at all costs. Those that knew the location would lose their lives.
Minerva glanced over at Harry and noted he had came to the same realization. Two Death Eaters lay dead at his feet and he was battling another one. The sting from a cutting hex on her arm caused her to focus on the task at hand. Turning back to the two Death Eaters that were engaging her, she quickly cast fatal spells that slain them. Six Death Eaters laid dead at her feet now.
"Retreat," Lucius Malfoy yelled to the remaining Death Eaters. "Grab the cages you can!"
Minerva started to follow but Harry held her back. "We cannot allow them to leave," Minerva yelled hurriedly. "We have to protect the location of this place from those that mean it harm."
"I brought backup," Harry answered. "They will pick them off as they run to the end of the magical barrier protecting this place. We will be in their way if we follow. Our time is better spent helping the injured."
"Injured," Minerva said horrified as she looked around searching for Phoenix birds to help. She saw a cluster of birds gathered and trilling sadly. She rushed to them. "Am I able to help?"
"Some of our older ones were injured trying to protect our nestlings. Several of our nestlings were dropped carelessly by the intruders," Fawkes projected to them.
"You can't heal them with your tears," Harry asked.
"We can heal the older ones but our tears won't work on the nestlings until they are hatched," Fawkes said sadly.
"Can Hagrid help them," Hermione asked hopeful as she entered the clearing followed by Harold, Remus and Luna.
"Is their presence okay within Phoenix Nesting," Minerva asked concerned for her friends.
"They defended us," Fawkes said. "They are allowed here. The oldest will have to have the location erased when he leaves though he may keep the memories of here for his help defending us."
"Why him and not the other three," Minerva asked confused.
Harry grinned at her before answering that question. "There's a reason I chose these four. Hermione would you give a demonstration please?"
Minerva watched wide-eyed as Hermione turned into a dragon. "Another magical animagus," she breathed in wonder. "Absolutely brilliant! I want to hear everything about your study and transformation later."
"Luna has a special relationship with all creatures, magical or not, so I figured they could sense her trustworthiness. Remus' furry little problem protects his mind so there's no danger from him," Harry said. "His heart is true and the Phoenix birds can sense it. Harold was a gamble but I'm sure he would do whatever to protect Phoenix Nesting."
"A few memories are well sacrificed if it means this place is protected," Harold agreed wholeheartedly.
"Would you allow me to take the hurt nestlings with me," Minerva asked. "Hagrid is very kind and dedicated to helping all. I believe he has the best chance to save them."
"The half giant," Fawkes said as he studied her request. "He will treat our nestlings with respect. You may take them but I ask for you to return them as soon as they are healed. Also please return those that pass on to the next great adventure as well. We will need to say proper goodbyes."
"I understand," Minerva said as she magicked a basket lined with fur and gently placed the eggs in it. "I will send Amethyst or Harry with updates on your nestlings as soon as I know something."
Minerva clutched the basket to her as she stepped closer to Harry. "Can you make sure everyone makes it to my office?" she asked. "I am going to get these nestlings to Hagrid."
"We will be fine," Harry reassured her and watched her leave in a cloud of flames.
"Your wife is brilliant," Luna commented. "Gorgeous as well."
"Indeed she is," Harry agreed wholeheartedly. "I am grateful for the Animagus Mating Ritual for allowing me to be in her life. To see her free and unbridled is simply amazing."
"I daresay you have fallen in love with her," Harold said as he appraised his son of heart.
"How could I not," Harry retorted. "She's amazingly brilliant." With that said, he moved towards the Phoenix birds to see if he could help.
"Alright you lot," Harold said. "Shall we gather the Death Eater bastards and prepare them for transport to the Unspeakable Department? I am positive they can study the Dark Mark more in depth."
Minerva knocked on Hagrid's door and waited patiently for him to answer. "Headmistress," he greeted suprised. "What can I do fer ya?"
Minerva held up the basket and showed him the injured nestlings. "There was an attack at Phoenix Nesting and these nestlings were dropped by the intruders. Can you help them Hagrid?"
"Bless their souls," he exclaimed and beckoned Minerva in. "Let's have a look at 'em."
Minerva gently handed the basket to Hagrid and followed him inside. She watched as he studied the eggs carefully and moved a few of them into a kettle lined with fur and covered it with a lid. "These four will be just fine," Hagrid said as he moved the kettle beside of the fire. "They got banged up some but as long as they are kept warm and toasty they will make it."
He moved two more eggs into a bigger basket wrapped in a blanket. "Do you think Amethyst will stay with these two?" he asked. "They are close to hatching. I don't know how they will be until they hatch though. Her tears might be needed to help them make it once they hatch."
"Amethyst," Minerva called. She smiled as the purple and golden Phoenix appeared. "Hagrid wants to know if you would stay with these two nestlings. They are close to hatching and will need assessed once they are."
Amethyst trilled affectionately and moved to the basket. "I will protect the nestlings," her familiar said.
"Thank you Amethyst," Minerva breathed. She turned back to Hagrid as he inspected the last egg. "What about that one?"
Hagrid frowned before meeting her gaze. "It's doubtful it will make it," he answered honestly. "It's damaged pretty bad. I will keep this one nestled in a bundle of warmth. It might pull through."
Amethyst trilled sorrowfully at the situation. All life was sacred to Phoenix birds. "I feel the same girl," Minerva cooed as she rubbed the Phoenix's belly. "Thank you for your efforts Hagrid," she said as she left towards her chambers.
