Wow! Thank you so much to all who have reviewed - its great to know people are still interested after my terrible delay in updating between chapters 17 and 18. I will certainly try to update more frequently from now on... and on that note - to the update!

Disclaimer from the beginning still applies – the characters, settings etc are not mine.

"Today," announced Professor Probantia, defence against the dark arts teacher, "We will move on to the practical aspect of our study of boggarts. Miss Gray, the spell please?"

"Riddikulus," Miss Gray demonstrated.

"Very good. Now, form a line everyone."

The class formed a line and the teacher released the boggart. One by one they stepped forward to tackle it with shouts of 'riddikulus' and laughter filling the room. Then it was Minerva's turn. She stepped forward, wand held outstretched, pointing directly at the boggart. Suddenly the boggart became Dumbledore. Dumbledore collapsed to the floor, clasping a hand to his heart. Minerva gave a strangled gasp, "Riddikulus," she muttered weakly.

"So you did it," murmured the boggart-Dumbledore weakly, "You fulfilled the prophecy. You showed the truth, Minerva, your Slytherin blood."

Minerva shakily pointed her wand at the boggart, "Riddikulus," she stuttered.

"Why, Minerva? Why have you killed me?" the boggart-Dumbledore whispered as his eyes closed and his chest stopped moving with the rhythm of his breathing.

Minerva's wand clattered to the floor as she stared desperately at the figure before her. Immediately Professor Probantia stepped between her and the boggart and swiftly dealt with it.

"Are you alright, Miss McGonagall?" she asked concernedly as he turned from the boggart to face her.

Minerva nodded, but her face was pale and strained, "May I leave?" she asked softly.

"Of course."

Her classmates watched as she seized her bag and books and hurried from the room.

The following weekend Minerva, having recently received permission from her father, went with Kim and William to Hogsmeade. The trio were sitting enjoying butterbeer when Valerius entered and came straight to their table.

"Father's outside, Minerva," he told her calmly, "He wishes to speak with you, privately."

William and Kim glanced at Minerva who considered this for a moment before getting to her feet.

"Its fine," she told her two friends, "I won't be long."

Outside she found her father who, on seeing her, placed an arm around her shoulders and spoke almost affectionately to her.

"Minerva, my dear, are you enjoying your trip to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, thank you, father," she murmured.

"Good. I'm very proud of you, Minerva; I should never have doubted your loyalty."

She looked at him uncertainly.

"Now I understand why you were destined for Gryffindor," he continued, "I really think you will please me more than your brothers, you've always been more magical than either of them."

"Father, please, if this is about the prophecy, I'm not – I won't…"

"Of course not, but one day," he smiled thinly, "I feel I should apologise for how I have treated you, I did not fully understand. Now I do, you can be part of your family again, you will come home for Christmas won't you?"

"Yes, Father, if you want me to." Minerva found herself agreeing almost without knowing what she was doing.

"Good girl. I shall write to Headmaster Dippet and make sure he knows."

Her father patted her shoulder and turned to leave, but as she walked away he called after her.

"Minerva!"

"Yes, father."

"You may spend as much time with Albus Dumbledore as you wish."

Minerva could think of no response so she nodded despairingly and returned to her friends.

"She cannot go, Armando," Dumbledore snapped at the Headmaster, showing a rage he had never before directed at Dippet, "It cannot be allowed."

"Her father has specifically requested she returns home to spend Christmas with her family and she says she is willing to go."

"Her father used the 'doleo' curse on her!"

"That may be true, Albus, but we have no proof."

"I have her word."

"I did what I could, Albus, I spoke to the appropriate authorities…"

"And McGonagall probably paid them, or intimidated them, or who knows what! He has far too much influence in our world, Armando. It cannot be accepted, she cannot be allowed to return to him."

"Albus, if the situation had not changed considerably I would obviously feel as strongly as you. But her father's attitude towards her has changed somewhat. He allows her to go to Hogsmeade, he sends her gifts, he…"

"Because of the prophecy," Dumbledore interrupted him.

"Perhaps – but I cannot prevent her returning to her lawful guardians without more than your word, Albus. You are compromised, at the very least by the prophecy."

"And it is a relief to you, Armando; you don't want her around Hogwarts anymore than is necessary, not with the prophecy hanging over her head."

"I confess to some relief, Albus, but only because I feel this is the best situation for all. Her parents are more accepting of her than they have ever been – the appropriate investigations have taken place and concluded she has a safe and even happy home with them. And yes, Albus, I am afraid of her, and her future. Did the sorting hat not suggest that your destinies were linked? With Caset's prophecy too – Albus, the wizarding world will soon come to depend on you – I cannot allow this prophecy to be fulfilled; I honestly believe it will mean the destruction of our world."

Dumbledore growled, enraged as few had ever seen him, "So you will sacrifice her. You will send her back to whatever occurs there."

"I have no choice, Albus," said Dippet resignedly, "And I am sure she will not be harmed."

Dumbledore stormed out of the office and went in search of Minerva. He could at least leave her with a promise that if she needed anything he would be there.

"Was it okay?" asked Hermione concerned.

McGonagall smiled weakly, "It was fine," she answered, "My father always believed in the prophecy, right until…" her voice faltered slightly.

There was a silence, broken by Moody entering.

"I've heard from, Albus," he told her gruffly, "He'll be here soon."

"What did he say?"

"Tell Minerva 'she must not fear the knowledge will aid him, he is not mine, and she must not fear for me, whatever happens, the truth will come.' I presume that makes some sort of sense to you?"

She nodded.

"He has always been like that," she said softly, "And I must trust him, I have learned that. I must follow an old friend's counsel, and I must trust Albus as I know him."

"Shall we get on with it?"

"Yes," she smiled, "By all means – we must complete as much as possible before Albus arrives."

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