Chapter Twelve
They returned to the castle via porkey and they were welcomed back into the entrance hall where they found a group of black clad Aurors standing at attention behind Professor Dippet. "Lads, what's happened?" Alastor Moody asked immediately, limping towards them. Melanie came to rest beside Minerva, listening to the man that seemed to be in charge of the group.
"General Robards sent us, sir, looking for Professor Dumbledore," the man said, holding up a sealed scroll. "He didn't trust owls to deliver this."
Albus stepped out from next to Galatea and Minerva. "I'm Dumbledore," he said taking the message and opening it. His eyes scanned the first few lines of the letter before he looked up, his eyes meeting Minerva's immediately.
"What's wrong, Albus?" Galatea asked urgently.
Albus cleared his throat. "The Hit Squads believe they may have found the location housing Grindelwald and his associates." A shiver went through the group.
"And they want you to fight?" Albus inclined his head slightly and folded the letter in half.
Minerva nodded and Albus blinked once, turning towards the group of Aurors. "You may inform General Robards that I am willing to be of assistance. We can leave within the hour."
The Aurors scattered and Alastor quickly followed them, engaging in a hushed conversation between Dippet and the commander of the squad.
"Albus!" Galatea snapped, putting a hand on his arm. Albus shook it off.
"This is not up for discussion, Galatea, I know you do not respect my decision, but it is just that. My decision."
"It should be her decision," Galatea shot off hotly with a glare.
"It always was."
*The Great War 1944*
"I am accompanying Dumbledore to Germany," Moody said shortly as Melanie made it outside on the ground. "Your orders have come back from headquarters and I put in my recommendation for your immediate rank change." A flitter of excitement shot down her spine.
"Thank you, sir." Moody's glare made her blush and immediately correct, "err—Moody."
"You'll be briefed back at the Ministry," he continued, "you did a bang up job, Ramierez. Not many could have done what you did with McGonagall. You were able to convince her that the bravest thing to do was live and to tell you how to let others live. For that, the whole world should be thankful."
Before she could respond, the scarred warrior had stalked across the garden and thrown his aging, battered body into one of the thestral drawn carriages.
She blinked a few times, adjusting to the abrupt departure and turned back to the road where Dumbledore was loading up the carriage with a trunk and bags. Minerva stood near the curb, dressed in a long cloak and gloves, the snow reflecting off her hair.
"You're leaving with Dumbledore?" Melanie said softly as she approached. Minerva didn't look over at her, but continued watching her lover interact with the thestral and those around the carriage.
"Yes."
Melanie swallowed once before asking the question weighing on her mind. "Are you sure that's wise?"
A small smile flickered on the girl's lips.
"Yes."
Melanie raised an eyebrow, but if she was going to object, she was interrupted by the arrival of Dumbledore. "I suppose this is a farewell, Miss Ramirez," he said cordially.
"Yes sir," she said with a smile.
"Will you be returning to Germany?" he asked politely, wrapping an arm around Minerva's waist, his eyes not leaving Melanie's face.
"I'm being briefed back at the Ministry for my next assignment in the coming week, so I'm not sure where I will heading after that," she responded.
"Ah, the excitement of the next thing in life," he said, blue eyes twinkling. He offered her a hand, which she took. However instead of shaking it, the man drew her close. "I believe I owe you a debt, Miss Ramirez, for helping rescue Minerva. One that perhaps I will never truly be able to repay to you," he released her, "we need more soldier like you, Auror."
He smiled at her and moved back towards the carriage. "We are ready when you are, Minerva, my dear."
The raven haired girl turned back to Melanie, her intelligent green eyes sparkling with something Melanie hadn't seen from her before. She wasn't sure she could identify it, even on herself. A goodbye the Auror had prepare failed to come to mind and her tongue felt heavy like lead in her mouth.
For once, it was Melanie who was speechless, but Minerva was not.
"Thank you."