Minerva entered the staff room confidently on Monday morning. She had sent word to have the students stay in their common rooms and have breakfast sent up to them. All of the staff, with the exception of Albus, was present. "Good morning," she greeted friendly.
Minerva motioned for those in the hallway to follow her. Suprise showed on everyone's faces as Bartemius Couch, Amelia Bones and a team of healers from St. Mungos entered the room. She cleared her throat and forged on. "I was poisoned on the last day I was here," she announced. "It was a rare and difficult poison to brew."
Staff looked at Horace Slughorn in question. The wizard merely stood and made a magical oath of his innocence and then proceeded to cast a lumos that was extremely bright.
"Thank you Horace," she said. "I never suspected you though. I merely want to check the remaining staff for any poisons and hexes. Albus will be checked when he returns from the ICW conference." Minerva knew that wasn't exactly true but she needed the staff to believe it. "Poppy you will be checked first so when you are cleared you can assist the healers."
"Very well," Poppy said as she stood. "I assume we are staying in the same room until everyone is cleared." At the nods from DMLE, she conjured a privacy screen in the corner with a cot and walked behind it undressing as she went. The healers followed her and started the process.
Within moments, Minerva heard muttered curses. A healer poked her head around the screen and looked at Amelia. "We need your assistance," she said.
Minerva raised her eyebrows as she watched Amelia look at her supervisor in silent question. A small nod gave her the clear and she went in. "Bloody hell," she heard Amelia shout a few minutes later then she walked back out in view. "Poppy has been memory charmed to hell and back. Minerva you will be getting a complete physical after Poppy. Apparently she remembers treating you for injuries that isn't documented in your medical chart. You were only treated for the poisoning, correct?"
Minerva nodded her head. "Healer Smith dealt with the immediate threat," confirmed Minerva. "I will consent to whatever needs to happen. Heather!"
A small house elf appeared in the room. "Please inform Lord Potter and Lord Ross that I am consenting to a medical examination requested by the DMLE. Ask them to be on standby for the results before the DMLE leaves this room."
"Is that really necessary Minerva," Barty asked.
Minerva glared at him. "I am heir to Clan Ross and betrothed to an heir from House Potter. Tradition demands I inform my houses of injury to my person so the situation can be dealt with."
"The DMLE will deal with it," Barty said hotly.
Minerva glared at him. "You forget yourself," she accused. "House Potter is a sacred 28 house. The Old Ways will be used for satisfaction against any person who caused injury to my person. My betrothal contract demands it!"
"Heir Ross," Amelia interrupted. "Please contact your Lords and I will arrange for a junior Auror to accompany them!"
"Thank you Amelia," she said pacified.
"Amelia," Barty said angrily.
"Stop Barty," she demanded, suprising all in the room. "This involves a sacred 28 betrothal. We will follow protocols for such or it will be your head."
Barty stomped to the other side of the room angrily. He was the director of the DMLE and should have the final say. Amelia should respect him and his authority. "Let it go Barty," Horace said gently as he walked towards his friend. "Amelia just saved your job regardless if you realize it or not. Clan Ross is known for following the Old Ways. They would have been after blood if you prevented that." Barty's face drained of color as he realized the truth in Horace's words.
Minerva McGonagall curled up into a ball as she sobbed in her private chambers at Hogwarts. Like Poppy, she had been memory charmed and Albus bloody Dumbledore had been responsible for it all. Her memories had flown back to her and the horror of them devastated her! She had screamed in horror from her memories before they silenced her. Poppy had wrapped her up in her embrace and held her tightly. She had sobbed in Poppy's arms until she passed out.
Lord Ross and Lord Potter had taken one glance at the medical report before sharing a look and demanding Minerva be moved to a private room. Amelia had Shacklebolt assist Minerva to her rooms and stood guard over her. Clan Ross and House Potter were the only ones allowed in.
Minerva felt the bed shift slightly before she heard Ida Ross' soothing voice. "I have you lass," she whispered as she pulled Minerva into her embrace.
"Gran," she cried as she buried herself in the older witch's embrace. Ida had become one of Minerva's favorite persons. The magical portrait of her mother had told stories of her childhood and her own mother. Isobel had been devastated by her mother's disownment but realized there was more to the story when she received her first vault key at Minerva's birth.
"I have you love," cooed Ida. "Donavon and Fleamont are already plotting his demise."
"What?" Minerva asked startled. "They can't just murder him."
"Of course not," Ida reassured soothingly. "They have to cover their tracks first. The bastard will die though."
Minerva took a deep breath before meeting her Grandmother's gaze. "Albus raped me numerous times," she whispered sadly. "He beat me physically to overpower me. I remember the smug satisfaction on his face when he memory charmed me. He was thrilled to hold that much power. He was excited by the control he held over me. I would of never expected this. The man was gay for Merlin's sake!"
Ida looked suprised at that. "I had no inkling of his preferences but with those robes I shouldn't have been suprised," Ida said. "He will pay greatly, dearest."
Minerva nodded against the witch and breathed in the scent of her grandmother. Scottish belles and lilac filtrated her senses and made her smile. "How will this effect my betrothal?" she asked sadly. She didn't know how she would survive without Harry or if she even could but there was always purity clauses.
"It shan't," Ida reassured her. "Lord Potter has already declared you as a part of his family. You will be moved to the cottage once the investigation is completed. Harry is waiting for you. They believe he felt your memory charms break. He became so upset he had to be sedated. James and Lily refuse to revive him until you are present."
Minerva looked sadly at that. "How can he handle that?" she questioned. She hurt for her little love.
"Death aides him," Ida offered and smirked at Minerva's sharp look. "Don't be suprised love. I was visited by Death once. Your mother had fallen from a tree when she was six and snapped her neck. She was so pale, lifeless. Death appeared to me and told me it wasn't her time yet. He told me she was to give birth to the witch destined to be fated to his champion. He snapped his fingers and reset time seconds before she fell. I managed to catch Isobel that time."
"I also remember asking you not to speak about it," a male voice said angrily.
Death appeared at the foot of Minerva's bed and glared at Ida Ross. The elder witch just smiled, unfazed by Death. "I don't recall that," Ida said. "It must of happened before you reset time this last time."
"How do you even know of that?" questioned Death curiously.
"The Fates visited me shortly before Fleamont Potter arrived to talk with Donavon," she admitted. "Minerva needed to learn what I knew. She needed the knowledge I had to help the champion of death succeed. I was told to train her in everything."
Death nodded his head as he chuckled. "The Fates don't enjoy being cheated," he said. "I couldn't forewarn you about this Minerva. The staff had to see your reaction to this. Poppy's reaction will ensure St. Mungos will support you as well."
"Did this happen last time?" she questioned. Death merely nodded his head. Minerva steeled herself and gave him a cold look. "I want my pound of flesh," she demanded.
Death smiled at her. "You shall have it," he guaranteed. "You will need to be the one to disarm him. Don't wait for others to do it!"
Minerva stared at Death in puzzlement but chose to not say a word. He snapped his pale fingers and she felt an icy bolt go through her. "What did you do to me?" she questioned.
He chuckled, "I gave you a unique gift to represent your betrothed's ancestry. You shall discover it soon enough. Don't reign in your magic. Allow it the freedom needed to expand and grow." They watched as Death faded from view.
"The bastard doesn't answer questions well, does he?" Ida Ross commented dryly as she glanced at her granddaughter. Minerva snorted in amusement at her Grandmother's words and settled back into her loving embrace. She missed her own mother overwhelmingly at times but having her grandmother close by helped ease that pain.
"Would you really expect Death to tip his hand?" she asked her Gran.
"I suppose not," Ida conceded.