Minerva sighed wearily as she walked into Potter Manor and dropped into the couch across from Euphemia Potter. The older witch chuckled before asking, "How was your first year as Headmistress?"
"Exhausting," Minerva replied. "I hadn't realized just how much Albus neglected over the years. It will take awhile to undo the damage and create a more cohesive education."
Euphemia frowned at that. "Did he really do that much damage? For what reason?"
"He was working for a slow take over of the Ministry," Fleamont answered as he walked in the parlor. Minerva raised an eyebrow in silent question. "I had a few debts called in. The Unspeakables have been investigating Albus' activities. Did you know he imprisoned Grindelwald instead of ending him? He still visits him monthly. Apparently they were lovers."
Minerva gaped at that. "Surely not?" she responded.
"The man is a creep," Sirius Black said as he and James arrived home. "Father has had Rita Skeeter investigating him. He has been abusing his power and gaining favor with the younger generation for decades. He had Remus practically worshipping him."
Minerva frowned at that. "Why hasn't Remus been around much?"
"Albus had him going to the werewolf communities," James answered angrily. "We finally tracked him down and updated him on everything. Albus had a bloody mail redirection charm on him. Remus didn't even know Harry existed!"
"That miserable bastard," Lily said as she walked in with Harry in her arms. She happily deposited Harry on Minerva's lap and sat next to her. "He has been a little terror."
"Harry is teething," James said with a grin to Minerva.
Minerva yelped as Harry bit down on her hand. She glared at him then scolded him. "I'm not your chew toy!" She closed her eyes when she realized how that sounded and immediately looked at Sirius. "If you utter a single word, I will turn you into a frog and allow the Hufflepuff first years to watch you," she threatened.
Horror filled his face at that. He had learned early on not to cross the witch. He merely nodded his head, transformed into Padfoot and sat at her feet. James and Lily were trying their best to contain their laughter. She rolled her eyes before standing up with Harry in his arms and strolling from the room as dignified as possible. She tried her best to ignore the howls of laughter that errupted from the room she just vacanted!
"Again," Ida Ross demanded as she looked at her granddaughter. "Albus has near a century of knowledge on you. You must learn the darker spells!"
Sweat poured down Minerva's face, she was exhausted but she refused to stop. She would protect Harry with everything in her. She gripped her wand tightly and cast a purple spell, one that belonged to the Morgan Ley Fey line. Those spells were extremely hard to cast and control. Ida, herself, was unable to control them. She knew them and could teach them to Minerva but she, herself, could not use them in battle.
"Allow Harry's magic to caress yours," Death whispered near her. Minerva reach out to Harry and felt the ever-present magic touch her. She breathed slowly and cast it again. The purple spell exploded from her wand and soared to life. The purple flames danced about the room looking for a target much like a patronus would. "Very nice," he praised. "You are unlocking your magical abilies."
Minerva nodded her head and looked towards her grandmother who remained oddly silent. Ida was frozen in time it seemed. She raised an eyebrow in question. "I am trying my hardest," she whispered.
Death chuckled at her. "You are so refreshing," he whispered. "Fierce, determined and extremely loyal to your soulmate. You will be his greatest asset yet his greatest weakness. You must not let yourself to be captured."
Minerva looked at Death questioningly. "Will there be an attempt to capture me?" Minerva asked frantically. Death nodded his head yes. Minerva feared they would attack Harry through her but she hoped they wouldn't just the same. "I shall have to work harder then," she whispered emotionally.
"When that moment happens, allow the Magical world to see what you are truly capable of," Death encouraged. "You represent Harry even now. Unleash your magic regardless of who is around and embrace your destiny."
Minerva looked at Death in suprise but nodded her head in understanding, "I shall represent Harry well."
"Cast that spell again as I snap my fingers," Death commanded.
Minerva nodded again and cast it as she saw the finger snap. "Excellent Minerva," Ida cried in delight. "That is the hardest spell to cast!"
Minerva smiled but her mind replayed her conversation with Death. What is coming my way? she wondered.
Minerva walked out of a clothing store in Diagon Alley after Euphemia and Harry. They had been buying their obligational purchases for the season. James and Sirius were still making purchases while Lily kept them in line. A tingle went down her spine as the doors slammed closed and she felt the anti apparation wards flare to life. She could hear screams throughout the Alley as blackrobed figures with silver masks obscuring their identities popped in front of her.
She saw Euphemia grasp her wand and shift Harry on her left hip. They were separated from James, Sirius and Lily who she could hear frantically trying to break the containment spell on the shop. "Fancy seeing you here, Professor," she heard a feminine voice taunt.
"I must admit I am not thrilled at seeing you Bellatrix," she replied dryly. "I was hoping for a relaxing day with my betrothed and his family."
Bellatrix ripped the mask from her face and threw it to the ground. She laughed maniacally as she eyed her former professor. "My, my Professor," she whispered seductively as she eyed Minerva up and down. "How lovely you look without that glamour. I confess I didn't believe the rumors before now. I'm sorry to say your intended will never truly appreciate that lovely form of yours once we are done with you."
Minerva allowed her magic to rush to her fingertips but kept it at bay. She would be ready for the bastards. "You and your merry band of undesirables going to prevent that?" she questioned unperturbed by the crazed witch.
Bellatrix laughed and eyed her appreciatively once again. "I plan to break you completely before he gets to play with you?" she taunted maniacally. "I would hate to see such a lovely form as yours to go to waste." She licked her lips suggestively. The wizards with her catcalled and howled in laughter.
Minerva rolled her eyes at that but remained calmed. "You can certainly try," Minerva answered fearlessly. "I have been wanting to try my new wand out anyways." Minerva silently summoned her wand from its pocket and held it firmly in her hand within seconds.
Bellatrix LeStrange looked at Minerva appraisingly for a moment before she cast a spell towards Minerva. "Let's dance," the younger witch yelled insanely.
Minerva allowed the blood red and black magic to rush out and provide a shield from those innocent bystanders trapped within the anti apparation wards. She swirled her magic in a circle around Euphemia and Harry quickly. She would not allow harm to befall them! Her magic flared as the shields stabilized and her outfit melted into her blood red and black Basilisk hide jumpsuit. Death has an amusing sense of humor, she mused. She caught Bellatrix's spell flawlessly.
Minerva flexed her magic before chuckling at the younger witch. "You mentioned a dance?" she taunted with a raised eyebrow.
Bellatrix roared in anger and eyed the witch lustfully. "I shall take great pleasure in breaking you and that lovely form of yours," she screamed as she sent spell after spell at her former professor.
Minerva blocked them all easily. "I expected more from you Bellatrix," Minerva said with disappointment. "You were a much better dueller than this at Hogwarts."
Bellatrix screamed indignantly before casting faster and deadlier curses at her. Sweat dripped from Minerva but she held her own. The Elder Wand bent to her will in her mission to protect Harry. She could feel the ancient spells cast by the wand infiltrate her mind and willed her to use them. Unleash your magic, embrace your destiny he had said. Minerva allowed the ancient spells to spring forth and annihilate her enemies. All of the robed figures were sending hexes and curses at this point.
"Enough," she roared as she pushed her magic out towards the Death Eaters. Purple magic flared as she allowed her Morgan Ley Fey magic loose and she suffocated all of the Death Eaters present. She watched as they dropped one by one with Bellatrix being the last. "Enjoy Hades Bellatrix," Minerva whispered so only those closest would hear her as she watched the life fade from Bellatrix's eyes.
Minerva moved towards the center of the shield and focused her magic. She lifted her arms and called the purple magic back to her. She breathed heavily as the adrenaline wore off. She closed her eyes and opened her arms wide. She focused on the wild magic that provided the shield to the Alley and called it back slowly to herself. Exhaustion forced her to her knees but she kept her arms stretched out. Tendrils of blood red and black swirled to her as Euphemia and Harry were released from their protective cocoon. The magic slammed into her body as it returned.
"Minerva," screamed a terrified Euphemia as she ran towards the witch along with Harry.
"Wait," Minerva managed as she recalled the remaining magic. Wounds appeared on the witch and blood poured from visible wounds on her body. "Get Harry home," she whispered as her shields failed and her world went black.
"Minerva," Euphemia screamed frantically. She caught sight of her family breaking through the containment spell at that moment. "Get her help!" she cried as tears fell down her face. Harry was sobbing as he escaped his grandmother's arms and fell against his unconscious soulmate.