A/N: This story is a bit tough to write. But I promise I will get through. I have more free time now. It should be wrapping up this weekend.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
At the end of March, Minerva was completely shocked at their latest order from the department of Aurors.
"We're meeting up with a special squadron of Aurors?" Edward read the note again in surprise.
Minerva was following her training. She grabbed the note, whispered a charm to make it invisible and stuffed it into a small tin on her belt.
"Everyone has the location?" Alastair Moody barked. It was a few miles from the Franco-German border. This meant they were headed into heavy dangerous fighting.
After briskly packing up camp, removing the protective charms, and returning the camp site to its original state, one by one, they apparated out.
Her initial shock was nothing compared to this. Albus was guarding the tent they were about to enter. She ran up to hold him and tears raced from her eyes as she fully embraced his presence. Minerva had never felt happier, with her face buried in his Auburn hair.
"Albus, I love you," She whispered into his hair. It had been years since she had gone without him for so long. During the school holidays, when Minerva was still a student, Albus would stop by as a friend of the family. Her parents had always felt a tad sorry for the Dumbledore boy. His family had never had an easy time of it. And after that heavenly Ministry Ball, when Albus was reintroduced to a grown Lady McGonagall, wild Hippogryphs could not have pulled him away from the McGongall estate. The two months away from him had started to raw her nerves and curtail her patience. But all this was soothed in Albus' arms. But her thoughts were completely obliterated by long overdue kisses showering her lips.
During a pause, Minerva looked up to see his cheeks were covered in tears as well.
"You're safe. You're well," Albus whispered, holding her tight against him.
"at this moment, my dearest, I am so much more!"
"Come inside, darling," Albus guided her into the tent as his relief watch stepped out, "Where is something I must show you." They moved deeper into the tent. Minerva could see that the tent was stretched into a long military barracks. There were rows of doors, with a wide, arched hallway, witches and wizards were darting between doors. As they walked down the hall, Minerva noted and greeted many familiar ministry faces. Clearly this was the operation to hopefully end the war. Toward the end of the hallway, she saw a tartan patterned door and instantly broke into a run. It was her family's tartan. Juno stepped out just as she reached the entrance.
"Oh, my bairf!" She chuckled as she held Minerva. Apollo stepped out to join the hug. Finally even Neptune wove into the group.
"What are you doing here?" Minerva turned to him as everyone filed into the quarters to catch up.
"The ministry needed an explosive potions expert. I thought I could do my part here with the rest of you.
"But then, where is Hestia?" Minerva scanned the quarters, wishing to catch the cheerful face, but more hoping her sister was safe. But her question was greeted with a tense silence. Juno sniffed and dabbed at her eye. Minerva reacted immediately, "What's happened to Hestia? Where is she?" Minerva demanded.
"Our darling girl…ran away," Apollo worked to keep his voice even. She's in her third year at Hogwarts, and that awful Professor Circe convinced her that her gift was so powerful she would abandon all other forms of magic to study it. All she talked of during the holidays was that cursed professor." Juno spat. Her ire was so at a dangerous level, so Apollo continued.
"Of course, we refused to let her leave Hogwarts, and discouraged her wild fantasies. She left a week before the end of holidays. All we found on her desk was a letter she must had received from Circe, signed by her, it indicated a pamphlet from a school in Tibet." He sighed, his voice sticking in his throat, "We spent a month searching for her… But how do you find someone who does not want to be found and can read your mind?" He sand back against the love seat. He and Juno held each other supportively.
Minerva was up at arms, "How dare she!" She screeched. The occupants of the room could feel the air start to snap and zing.
"Come now, Minerva, there's no need to lose your temper." Apollo chided gently. His entire demeanor spoke of defeat. "There is nothing we can do until she wants to be found. When she does, she will let us know."
Minerva sank back to the couch and Albus' waiting arms she let the tears resume, but not out of joy this time.
There was a modest amount of merry-making that winning as friends, coworkers, and family were reunited. The Dumbledore/McGonagall clan chimed in, but always with a quiet note of sadness accompanying.
The next day they would receive some of the most harrowing order of their lives.
A/N: I would loooovveeeee reviews!