A/N: It's a bit of a longer chapter, so grab your tea or coffee! I hope everyone is liking the story. Thanks for the review, but I still appreciate more!
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The aurors sat anxiously around the table. All of them had a strong suspicion that the meeting called was going to be about Minerva McGonagall.
Frankly, all the other aurors were quite tired of the discord between the Minister and the Headmistress.
Not that they didn't respect the Minister, but they kind of agreed with Minerva's unwillingness to cooperate. The aurors and Kingsley had botched the whole operation at St. Mungo's (for which they were STILL getting reprimanded for)… If they were in Minerva's place, they doubted they would trust themselves either.
Darius again looked at his files on the case. He had only a few small leads as to possible locations where Donal was hiding. Possible. Nothing concrete.
The man was damn good at not leaving a trace.
He glanced around the mahogany table. Apparently everyone else felt the same way.
He looked through the reports on the attack at Minerva's house. It seemed that both wizard and witch had held their own. Darius held back a chuckle as he thought, Minerva really doesn't need any of us. Of course, he'd never admit out loud to that.
Finally the door opened and Kingsley took the head seat at the table. "So, what news? Lay it out for me."
Silence.
A couple of throats were cleared and a few fingers tapped nervously on the table.
"Alexis?"
She looked hard at the table and shook her head.
"Harold?"
He too fixed his gaze and shook his head.
"Gregory? Beatrice? Margaret? David? Nathaniel?"
Silence.
"Darius?" Kingsley's voice sounded almost desperate.
"Minister, no one has been able to find anything because, honestly, there is nothing to find. The man has left no trace. The wand he used at the house was found in a neighboring yard in Godric's Hollow, so there isn't a magical trace to track. He hasn't contacted anyone, nor have any reports come into our office. There really isn't much of anything we can do.
The only thing we know and you know is that the final fight will happen in the Forbidden Forest, according to Minerva. But Hogwarts is out of our jurisdiction, and Minerva will block the wards to stop our access. We can't apparate in and we won't be able to go through the gates. We can't fly or Floo in because the air and networks will be blocked as well. We checked that this morning."
Kingsley shook his head. "So we really can't do anything. No way to find anything out?"
"Nothing sir," Darius replied. "We must watch and wait. It's the hardest thing, but right now, Minister, it's the only thing."
Xxxxxxx
Minerva had retreated for the day to her house in Godric's Hollow. She figured that Donal wouldn't try and come back here, but, just in case, at her children's urging, she had put up protective wards around the entire property.
Percival had decided to go back to work for the day at the Order. He had worked out an exclusive one-way Floo network. Besides, it was Sunday- the place would be empty. He assured Minerva that he was just getting his work and journals then he'd be back. He'd tell the portrait of Albus when he'd returned.
Tessa was sleeping. Again. That girl apparently never grew out of the teenage sleeping phase. She would go to bed at midnight and not wake up till eleven or later. It was irritating.
Esmerele had decided to come with her mother. She was still very much afraid, and she didn't want to be away from her mother's side.
And Minerva didn't want her daughter to be far away either.
But for all the children, this had proven to be the longest month of their lives. Not that they underestimated the danger they were in, but all of them seemed to be getting a bit of cabin fever- even in the large castle of Hogwarts.
Not going out to shop was killing Tessa. Not working everyday was killing Percival. And not feeling safe was killing Esmerele.
Minerva and her youngest daughter sat together in a large love seat by the fire. The young witch had her legs going across her mother's lap as her back rested against the armrest. Both of them were buried deep in a book.
The Headmistress was infinitely glad that she had given her paperwork to the Deputy. Maybe she'd keep doing that even when things did clear up…
When Minerva's legs were thoroughly asleep, she gently removed her daughter's legs and gently stood up, her limbs tingling with the rush of blood.
"Mmmm."
"What would you like?"
"Mmmhm."
Typical Esmerele. Incoherent noises while reading.
Minerva walked to the kitchen and looked at the small items. There really wasn't much of anything to use.
"Lucy!" The small house elf appeared beside her with a large pot of lamb stew.
"I figures yous and the little missus be gettin' hungries." The house elf levitated the pot to the counter.
"Thank you," Minerva said warmly, gently touching the elf's face. "You're a treasure."
The house elf blushed and disappeared with a pop.
Withdrawing two bowls, she poured herself and her daughter a gracious amount. The lamb stew was always her favorite on a cold day.
Esmerele looked up when her mother entered, the delicious smell hitting her nose. "Hogwarts?" She asked.
Minerva pretended to be offended. "What, like I can't cook you a good meal?"
"Not like the house elves can."
"True."
Her daughter gently took the bowl and sat it in her lap. Minerva sat facing her daughter and with a flick of her wrist the love seat morphed into two big chairs with a table in between them, a glass of apple cider and a glass of red wine appearing on the table.
"What, still won't let me drink?" Esmerele joked.
"Not that, I just know that you like apple cider with your stew. You always have."
Esmerele smiled gently. "I never will know how you remember all of that…"
"I watched you eat your whole life."
"Ah, yes, I forgot about that. What time is it?"
Minerva glanced behind her. "Just before twelve."
"Should we wake Tessa?"
At that moment the fire roared to life and a very groggy Tessa emerged. "I'm awake," she grumbled, sounding more like "Mmm awarrrk."
Minerva flicked her wrist and changed her seat so it was a bit wider. Tessa shuffled over and crawled in beside her mother, collapsing against Minerva's small frame.
"Stew?" she asked gently.
Tessa shook her head and nuzzled against her mother's neck. "Mhnmhm smmh gmmd."
"What?"
She turned slightly. "You smell good. Like yourself."
"Ah, like parchment and musty books."
Tessa nodded and fell silent.
"Any more news about Donal?" Esmerele asked.
Minerva sighed. "Nothing."
"Perhaps that's a good thing for now."
"No news is good news." The Scottish witch relented.
"Mmmghm uhgmm hmmhm."
"Darling, I love you, but unless you're going to make coherent words and sentences, please refrain from talking."
Tessa threw up a middle finger and snuggled into her mother's side.
Esmerele chuckled. "So what are you going to do about all of it?"
Minerva shrugged. "What is there to do but watch, wait, and listen?"
"You aren't scared for a surprise attack?"
"Hardly," she scoffed.
"And you're sure that he won't attack the actual manor?"
"There's really no way he could."
They all sat in silence. They were at a loss.
Esmerele voiced the question that had been on everyone's mind.
"Are you sure your spell worked?"
Minerva shifted uncomfortably. Her arm tightened around Tessa's frame; her emerald eyes bore into her daughter's matching irises.
"God, I hope so."
Xxxxxxx
By that afternoon Tessa was growing more and more restless, and to be honest, so was Minerva.
Esmerele was content to sit and read, but her mother's legs were anxious to get up and get moving.
Finally worn down by her middle daughter's incessant badgering, Minerva decided that a day shopping in Diagon Alley wouldn't be unreasonable. If anything bad happened- Tessa could fight, so could Minerva. They'd be fine on a crowded day. No way Donal would just show up at Diagon Alley with his poster displayed on every corner.
Esmerele shook her head at their wanting to get out. She decided to go back to Hogwarts, not quite feeling up to staying in Godric's by herself.
Minerva put on her loose forest green silk slacks and top and threw over her heavy black robe. Tessa shook her head at her mother's clothing- it was so damn predictable. You could spot her in those colors and that pointed hat anywhere.
Tessa, however opted for a sleek, form fitting lavender and silver robe, topped with a cute pillbox hat adorned with crystals placed slightly diagonal on her head. She had her hair falling in loose curls that reached down her back.
Looking in the mirror, she tried to smile at her reflection. But it seemed like everyday her tears were closer and closer to the surface.
She was awful at dealing with grief. She hadn't really dealt with her father. And now her husband was gone.
She was trying desperately to keep a strong façade up for her mother, but she could see the cracks beginning- like her inclination to sleep.
Sleep was like being dead, but there wasn't as much commitment.
Every morning brought a new application of glamour charms.
But it was getting harder and harder.
She was thankful for the respite from the fighting and dueling, but with more time came even more periods that her mind would wander into the dark depths of grief… and she just didn't know how much longer she could pull herself out of it.
"Ready…" Minerva started to ask. But her words died on her lips as she saw her daughter's haunted expression. An expression that she had seen too often in her own mirror.
She rushed forward and wrapped her daughter into a tight hug. "I know. I know it's hard."
Tessa tried to pull away. "I'm fine, I need to be…"
"You don't need to be anything!" Minerva looked into her daughter's icy blue eyes. "You need to be a wife to Jacques first. A daughter second."
Tessa sank into her mother's arms. "I can't cry… I don't know where the tears are."
"I know," Minerva whispered, stroking her daughter's perfect hair, "they'll come. Don't fight it. There are stages. Let yourself feel."
Tessa gently pulled away. "Right now I'd like to shop."
"Yes ma'am!"
They held hands and felt the familiar tingle behind their stomachs as they apparated into Diagon Alley.
Upon seeing the hustle and bustle, the bright windows, the merry faces, Tessa immediately brightened.
"Can we go to…"
Minerva held up her hand. "This is a portkey to Hogwarts. If anything goes wrong, go there. Otherwise I'll meet you outside the café at six."
Tessa nodded and with a wave headed into the nearest apparel store.
Her mother, on the other hand, headed straight towards the bookshop.
There was Flourish and Blott's, of course, but Minerva avoided it because of the high chance she'd run into her students.
Instead, she headed to a back street into a tiny little alcove that gave way into a large yet cozy little bookstore- Trudy's Corner. Specializing in old texts, Minerva had her own special little corner where the storeowner would provide her with the latest finds.
Today on the small oak side table sat a first edition copy of Nicholas Flamel's early alchemy studies. Percival probably already had it, but she'd still keep it anyway.
The next one was a Transfiguration book written by Tryvania Newesst around 1553. Changes nott yet seene, a guide to perfecting your magick.
Sounded familiar, but Minerva hadn't read it in a while, so that one would be kept.
The rest were titles that she had in her library at the Manor.
Settling into the leather chair, the owner of the shop, Trudy Manning, brought Minerva a cup of the house tea- Black Pearl. "How are you dear?"
"Just fine, thank you."
"Found anything in the stack?"
"Yes, a couple, thank you so very much."
Trudy smiled and placed the cup on the table.
It didn't take long before Minerva was completely enthralled in her book.
By the time the world caught back up to the Scottish witch, the clock said 5:52.
"Goddamn it." She muttered, quickly gathering her books into her leather bag.
Rushing out the door, she hurried down the street towards the café, lest she be late. She'd never hear the end of it from Tessa.
She passed by the entrance to Knockturn Alley when she felt a hand grab her arm and another hand press against her mouth. Her nose first picked up a womanly smell. The hands against her lips were soft and warm, preventing Minerva from straight out killing her on the spot.
But she did react, sending her "attacker" sprawling to the ground in the alley behind her, as if a force had been sent out from Minerva's very own person.
"Shit!" Came the raspy voice of Narcissa Malfoy, her black and blonde hair mingling with the mud on the ground.
"That's what you get for sneaking up on me like some greasy serpent. Oh, I'm sorry, that is what you are, isn't it?"
Narcissa gave her a raised eyebrow but said nothing. Standing up, she flicked her wand and her hair and clothes returned to normal.
"What no rebuke?" Minerva scoffed.
"Rather, I have come to you for more important things, and I hope that we can look past ourselves if only for a moment."
Minerva's eyes widened with surprise. How strange to see the proud Lady Malfoy coming to her for anything.
"Well, not right now, as I must go meet my..." she started to say daughter. "Friend."
"No," Narcissa moved forward, grasping Minerva's arm (though not unkindly, just desperate), "Please, Professor, it is urgent."
Minerva looked irritated. From the distance she heard a clock sound the arrival of six o'clock.
"Lady Malfoy, I need to go meet my friend. If you will wait here then I will come back and we can speak."
Narcissa looked as if she wanted to refuse, but she nodded in consent anyway. What could she do, really?
Minerva turned away and then turned back. "I will be back."
With a pop, Minerva apparated away.
Narcissa paced back and forth. She knew it wasn't a good idea to be here, especially against Lucius' wishes. Her cheekbone throbbed from the bruise that resided painfully underneath her makeup.
He was a good husband, wasn't he? Beyond the temper, the hitting, the punching, the curses… he had provided for her just like he'd promised. A house sitting high on a hill, the latest clothing… even a muggle title of Lady and Lord. She had all the money she wanted. A gorgeous 3-carat diamond sat atop her ring finger.
But her arms were covered in bruises. She'd had three black eyes this month. Her jaw had been broken. Her back had been injured from the Cruciatus curse.
But when she looked past that, he had given her a good life and a beautiful son, even if Draco had picked up his father's way of treating women.
No, she thought to herself, I regret nothing. I had a good life. He loves me. He says so every night.
She was interrupted from her musings by a small pop, making the thin woman jump.
"Shall we talk?" Minerva asked, her Scottish brogue crisp in the winter air.
Xxxxxxxx
A/N: I admire Helen McCrory so much I had to add her into the story. Hey, if Minerva doesn't have a love interest, at least I can add in another gorgeous woman!
Hope everyone has enjoyed. Next chapter up shortly.