AN: I'm bad I spent the last hour of my lecture tonight working on this chapter instead of listening to the professor, but I don't think I missed anything horribly important. I just want to say thanks again to all who have reviewed this story. It's actually one of my favorites, and it's great to see others are enjoying it too. So, enough from me; on with the story.
Minerva rolled onto her back and stretched, languidly, between the rich satin sheets. Her arm came up and covered her eyes against the invading sun with a groan. Snuggling deeper into the warmth, a smile came to her lips as her mind drifted back to the previous morning. Sighing, she allowed herself to drift away in the softness of his lips, the tongue stroked over hers, in the smell that followed him, encompassed him. She even giggled as she remembered the way his beard tickled when it grazed her cheek. Her entire body was warm and fuzzy as she drifted, completely at ease. Her mind drifted along the gently lapping waves that were her thoughts to their next logical progression, the night they were to meet.
With a jolt and sickening clarity, it all rushed back as she shot upright from the pillows. Poppy's odd behavior, the guards, the people, and, oh merlin, his cold eyes. She still couldn't fathom what could cause a man to lose all semblance of himself. She brought her right hand up to her shoulder and winced.
Looking around the empty room quickly, trying to identify any interlopers, Minerva dashed to the small bathroom she had found the night before. Tentatively, she turned several of the handles of the pool sized bath, and was slightly surprised as the smell of lavender filled the room, mixing with the steam from the hot water.
She turned and was faced with a disturbing image, her own face. She was pale, almost deathly so, and the dark circles surrounding her dull eyes only highlighted that fact. Her hair stood out in all directions as it always did if it wasn't tied back, and an angry red patch covered her cheek from where her hand had rested during the night.
Holding her breath and never taking her eyes from the mirror, Minerva began lowering the cotton nightgown she had found in a closet. There, on her left shoulder and upper arm, were two hand sized bruises, marring the otherwise porcelain skin. Squinting, she could even make out the darker band from his ring. Carefully, she skimmed her fingers across the purple expanse, wincing when she found an especially tender portion. It was still a marvelous thought. The very hands that had marked her were the same that had so delicately wiped the tears of a terrified first year just two months prior when she finally realized she wouldn't be going home.
With a sigh, Minerva slipped into the steaming water and let out a groan as it began to loosen her tight muscles. She rested her head back against the marble edge and closed her eyes. Minerva knew she would have to leave eventually, face the world, as it were, but it was the last thing she wanted to do. Right then, it would be the easiest thing in the world to simply slip beneath the water and forget.
She knew she needed help, but she wasn't even sure who was still alive. A fresh wave of loss swept over her at the thought of her friends, those she considered family, and the thought of their loss. In her world, they all survived and were flourishing. But, she had learned quickly that things weren't as they ought to be.
She couldn't stop the sights and sounds from green sector from playing out in front of her eyes. The thought of her fellow witches and wizards living as common slaves, animals, was incomprehensible. The fact that Albus had seemed truly surprised by their reaction almost made her pity him; almost. Minerva's brow furrowed and she sat up in the bath, causing small waves to flow over the side, covering the floor. 'It couldn't be,' she said to the empty room. The peoples words reverberated in her mind, drowning out every other conscious thought. "Long live Potter," they had screamed, moaned.
For the first time, Minerva felt the delicate tightrope of hope lift her up, threatening to throw her off at a moments notice. Harry had opposed him. In this world, the thought made as much sense as anything else. Young Mister Potter surely wouldn't have stood by while his former mentor tried to destroy everything he had fought for, almost died for. At least, her Harry wouldn't.
With a renewed energy, Minerva got out of the bath and set about finishing her morning routine. "Perhaps it's time for a walk," she said to her reflection, putting in the last of the hairpins. "That's the spirit dearie," it called after her.
Smoothing down her robes self consciously, Minerva opened the heavy door and peaked though the crack. When she didn't see anyone, she opened it fully and took a step out. Instinctively, her hand plunged into her burgundy robes when she was startled by a sudden rustling noise on her right. "That's really not the best move around here Professor," a man said, stepping around the corner. It was one of the guards, but he looked strangely familiar.
"And why not?" she retorted.
He smiled, almost shyly, and came to a stop just in front of her, leaning in. "Because, without a wand, you're likely to be blasted before I could do anything." He looked over his shoulders conspiratorially. "I promise my aim is better than when I was a student. But, it helps that there are no blast ended skrewts to backfire on me."
He waited, and wasn't disappointed as recognition dawned in her emerald eyes. Amusement flashed brightly as she remembered the fifth year Gryffindor who almost caused havoc in his Care of Magical Creatures class. Hagrid was at wits end for weeks after that and the skrewts couldn't be coaxed from their cages. Far too quickly though, she remembered exactly where she was, and her walls reemerged.
"Mr. Daniels," she said politely, "it's good to see that you're well."
Jeffery Daniels leaned back and actually laughed, his entire body shaking beneath his own armor. "It's wonderful to see you too Professor. You wouldn't believe the uproar within the division when we were informed of who our guest was. I had to wrestle three other men for this detail." He seemed quite pleased with himself, and Minerva couldn't help but notice just how much he had grown from yesterday morning when she had last seen him.
"Until I'm told otherwise, I am at you complete disposal. Any questions you may have, anywhere you may wish to go, I'll do what I can."
"Take a deep breath Mr. Daniels. You're going to need it. Now," she said walking back toward the entrance they went through the day before, "what can you tell me about green sector?"
Daniels walked with the air of a man fully in command of his surroundings, and given his position, it wasn't far off. But, with that question, he seemed to slow some and began to fidget slightly. "It's not somewhere I would want to be," he admitted softly, before regaining his bearings. "We have four sectors; green, blue, black, and gold. Yes professor," he said, seeing her incredulous expression, "It wasn't lost on me either. Each level advances the amount of magic a person is allowed through the collars. Green has none, blue has the ability to perform basic magic, cleaning spells and levitation, things of that nature. Black is only minimally regulated. They can perform most spells, but there are limitations. Some of the more powerful incantations are held back. Gold sector, however, has no regulation what so ever. All members of the Ministry, the Auror's, the guard, and of course the Minister and yourself, are free of all restriction."
"But," Minerva began before thinking better of it. "How do people end up in the sectors, and how could they allow themselves to be pigeonholed? Wasn't there any resistance to it?"
"It would behoove you, Professor, to never mention resistance again. It is not the safest topic of discussion in these times. As for personal placement, it depends on the amount of threat you possess. If you are deemed an enemy of the state, you are automatically removed to green sector, no mater what you were previously."
"And how did you end up in Gold Sector Mr. Daniels?"
He shrugged. "My grades improved by the end of my seventh year, and I was allowed into Auror training. From there, I was recruited into the praetorian guard. There was nowhere else I could have ended up."
Minerva's mind was reeling with all the information, but one thing did stand out. He never said people would disappear. They always went to green sector. Perhaps there was hope after all. "I see. Mr. Daniels, just what were you told about my sudden appearance?"
Daniels stopped, knitting his brow as if asking such a question was a foreign concept. "We were briefed that you were here, indeed were Professor McGonagall, and that we were to treat you as we would the Minister."
Minerva nodded. She found it interesting that his most trusted lemmings would be so woefully uninformed. This opened up an entirely new avenue for her to explore, but she couldn't do it alone. "Mr. Daniels, I cannot explain exactly what is going on, but suffice to say, things are not as I left them. There are some people I need to find. Can you help me?"
He snapped to attention quickly, eager to be of assistance. Where are the Weasley's? Arthur and Molly in particular?"
Daniels spine stiffened and he dropped his gaze to a point just over her shoulder. "They were one of the first families to arrive in Green sector Professor. They decided they didn't appreciate what the Minister was trying to do for them, for all of us. They dared to speak out against him, tried to recall him. It was sad to see such a prominent family from the war lose sight like that."
As little as this surprised Minerva, given the people, to hear of their fate ripped through her. "What about Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Hermione Granger? What became of them?" Her voice had gained a slight quake by the time she reached her favorite student, but Daniels eyes didn't soften in assurance.
"Moody and Tonks both also ended up in Green sector. Tonks was trying to calm an internal conflict and was killed two years ago. Moody, I believe is still alive, but no one has heard from him in the last six months. As for Hermione," he said, his cheeks flushing slightly, "she's currently the transfiguration professor at Hogwarts. She's doing a fine job Professor. You would be proud."
"I always was," she whispered. "Tell me about the school. Is the curriculum changed much? Are the Gryffindors still dominating the Quidditch field?" Her heart sunk just a bit lower as he shook his head.
"No, the students don't play Quidditch anymore. They also added a secondary defense class to the curriculum. The students learn some of the more powerful spells as well as tactics for those who show an aptitude. Everyone who leaves Hogwarts leaves in at least the black sector unless their professors request a different setting. What happens next is up to them."
Minerva shook her head at the idiocy she found herself surrounded by. "Mr. Daniels," she said hesitantly, finally coming to a stop in front of that now familiar solid wall. "I'm allowed to go where I wish, anywhere I wish, correct?"
He nodded his head slowly, not caring for the direction the conversation had taken. "I want to see the Weasley's."
They moved down the stairs and into a world within a world, Minerva's feet slipping slightly on th slick steps. There was an odd pressure that filled the atmosphere, making sound impossible and breathing difficult.
Minerva shivered as they cleared the last step, coming face to face with a long forgotten people. As they walked through the abandoned streets, clutter swirling around their clicking heels, Minerva could make out dozens of eyes staring out through barely parted curtains before fluttering closed hurriedly as they walked by.
They passed down another block, stopping only as a ginger cat dasshed out from behind an overturned trash can. They stopped in front of a home, one of the less shabby in the neighbrohood, a testament to the family within. With three quick knocks, all they could do to wait.
There was a shuffling sound from behind the plank that passed for the door before it opened a sliver with a creak. Two hazel eyes and a mop of silver hair filled the crevice. "What do you want?"
"I would watch your tone madam." Daniels was about to push through the door, but he fell silent and still at Minerva's harsh glare.
"Is the Weasley home?" she asked gently.
"It is," the woman answered defiantly. Minerva reached up and pulled down her hood, looking back at the shorter woman with a gentle smile. "Hello Molly," she said quietly.
The two eyes grew wide and Minerva could just make out a studdering sound from behind the door. "May I come in Molly? There's much me need to discuss."
Molly Weasley stood back from the door in shock, letting it fall open without complaint. Minerva took a step forward but stopped and turned. "Stay here Daniels. I want to catch up with an old friend, and I doubt conversation with flow with an unbridled ease if you're in the room." Without another look back, Minerva stepped through the portal and shut it behind her with a decisive click.
Minerva stopped just inside the doorway, trying to adjust to the dim lighting. The air was filled with te smell of potatos and dirty laundry, but the small room she found herself in had a neat but lived in appearance.
Minerva looked over at the other woman, amazed at the difference this world had made. Her auburn hair was now utterly white and dull. She had lost weight to the point of starvation. Her once loving eyes were now wary and clouded. But, as hard as she tried, Minerva couldn't ignore the sickening green glow that covered the woman. It seemed to pulse around her only served to accentuate the deep lines that covered her features.
Minerva took a step forward and tried not to weep as Molly flinched back. Looking around the small room, Minerva lowered herself down into a rickeety chair and placed her hands in plain view. "You can't be real," Molly said accusingly as she lowered herself into another chair across the room.
"I'm very much real Molly. As to how, that is a very long story. But first, how are you, the family? What have you been doing?"
Molly looked at her warily, reminding Minerva of a cornered animal. "how do I know it's you? You could very well be a member of that crackpots fan club."
"Molly," Minerva said exasperated, but she saw the determined glint in her yes she sighed and complied. "The day after Charlie's second birthday, you managed to get your toe stuck in the bathtub faucet. It took Arthur and I almost three hours to get you free. Speaking of which," she added in an afterthought, "did the swelling ever go down?"
Minerva grinned as Molly flushed a brillant red and ducked her head. In the next moment, Minerva found herself wrapped tightly in Molly's arm, trying to hold back her own tears as Molly's slipped down the front of her robes. "Oh Molly, what happened?" Minerva asked softly, rubbing soothing circles into the other woman's back.
"He took it all back Minerva," she chocked out. "We all fought for him, for what he led us to believe, and then he took it all back. Albus betrayed us all, and it cost me my husband."
AN2: Ok, you've gotten this far, and I'm not to proud to beg. Please review please please please. Thank you come again.
