After what seemed like an eternity, Minerva got up and walked into the washroom and took a long hot bath. When she walked out there was a lot of things laid on her bed with a note.
You will wear this dress and these accesories for the wedding tomorrow. You will be ready by 8:00 am. The ceremony will happen at 8:30. Don't delay. You know what will be the consequences.
Minerva sighed and rolled her eyes. She looked at the dress laying on the bed. It looked good but was rather revealing. Why do they have to choose such a revealing outfit. There were footwear and some accesories to go with.
There is no way out of this.
It was evening when Winky popped in with lunch. "Missy, Winky has brought luch." There was a funny coloured liquid in a glass. "Winky what is that in the glass?"
"That's a strength potion. Mistress Anhasticia wanted you to drink it." It popped away. Minerva knew that whatever was in that glass, it was trouble. At the same moment her step-mother walked in.
She watched with wide eyes as her mother lifted her wand and pointed at her and whispered "Imperio." Minerva was ordered to drink the odd coloured liquid. She tried with all might to stop herself. Tears flew from her eyes when she couldn't stop herself.
Was that poison? What is it?
She was terrified.
What if tomorrow they make me marry him under the curse and what if they keep me under the curse life long?
As she gulped the last drop her mother spoke up. "Do not worry, it will not kill you. It will enhance your beauty for tomorrow and make you more desirable. Only if you look good Jonathan would want to marry you. And you also need good sleep so you don't try to escape at the last minute. She felt sleepy all of a sudden and felt her eyelids drop.
•••••••
Minerva wok up feeling tired. She glanced sideways towards the window it was still dark. She looked towards the clock. It was 5:00 am. She had slept a whole day.
That potion. I lost all the time I had.
She got up at the same time Winky popped in, "Missy your awake. I have prepared a warm bath with rose and eucalyptus. Today you will be getting married."
Minerva was beyond irritated by the elf being so happy. "Shut up Winky. What the hell is so happy about it. It's happening against my wish. They are using me for an exchange offer. I can't alert anyone about my problem. You won't bring me any owl. How do I escape this? Merlin!!" She rushed into the bathroom and locked it, got into the tub and cried once again.
The elf was more than startled at her mistress' outburst. Minerva took a long time to take bath and even more time to get ready. She put on that rather sexy dress. She laughed at herself when she looked in the mirror.
I look so dashing but wish I could wear it for someone I want to. Gods my life is going to end. I should have had all the fun. I should have returned to Hogwarts long ago and met Albus and rekindled the weird relationship we had, like I have always dreamt.
She chuckled at the memories. She was so innocent at 15 but she knew at that age that she wanted to marry someone like her Transfiguration Professor. She often wondered how it would be to be Mrs. Dumbledore. Meeting him after six long years, she felt that flutter in her body.
Was it love? Maybe. Maybe not. It was a crush. It is a crush.
She sighed, now she is going to marry someone she does not even know.
She saw the time it was already 6:45. "Winky, can you get me something to eat. I am hungry."
When the elf popped back with breakfast it looked rather dull. Minerva then realised she had showed all her anger on the poor elf. "Winky I'm terribly sorry for lashing out at you earlier. I was so upset and I didn't know what to do. Please forgive me?"
"Missy!! You not ask forgiveness from Winky. I an elf. Winky is sorry to upset Missy. Winky is not knowing Missy was forced to marriage. Winky is ready to help."
Minerva choked on her pancake. "Really what can you do?" Winky smiled
"Missy is giving me a letter I go give it to someone. That way Missy is not breaking any rules also. I am allowed to leave the house at some time."
Minerva was so happy, all her hunger had suddenly disappeared. She got up and picked some parchment and started to write.
Wait a moment, who should I ask for help. Of course not my ex- boss he will not come. Aurors?? by the time they come I would have consumated the marriage... Alastor??? I don't know where he is galvanting. Merlin at desperate times I can't think of anyone. Suddenly a thought occurred to her.
"Winky can you apparate into Hogwarts? To the Headmaster's office exactly to say".
"Sure Missy, Winky often visits Hogwarts to meet friends."
Minerva beamed, she was just about to write when the doors opened. Her father walked in along with her mother and brother trailing behind. "I see you are ready, then lets get going."
"Where? It's just quarter past seven there's still an hour to go."
"The timings have changed, my son-in-law-to-be is impatient. He wants to get married faster."
With that he aimed his wand at her and once Minerva found herself under the imperius curse. She was frightened.
No this is not happening.
She couldn't even cry. She was ordered to smile. She fought with all will. But that was the only area she failed in during auror training. When she was made to walk down the steps she saw only a few people standing there.
Was the ceremony happening here?
There was a young girl with dirty blonde hair and high cheekbones, she was pretty. She noticed her brother walking forward to stand next to the girl.
So she was the one her brother was going to get married to.
There was an old man, whom she assumed to be the father of the girl. Then there was another man who was in his fifties she guessed.
Who was this man and where was this so called Jonathan?
She wanted to just runaway from the spot, but couldn't. All four walked upto to the three of them Then her father spoke,
"So we are gathered here to officiate the marriage of Minerva McGonagall and Jonathan Green."
He gestured to the other man who was in his fifties. Minerva gasped but it was not heard because of her being controlled. She was going to get married to this man she didn't even know, whom she couldn't resist. She would be asked to consummate the marriage with. That was it.
Minerva's mind went blank. She did not want to hear anything. She vaguely registered the man taking her hand and slipping the ring into her fingers. She reluctantly put the finger on his hand.
There we're married.
She was ordered to kiss him. She restricted the curse as much as she can. Her head was throbbing at the power of the curse.
I do not want to do this.
She felt the man snake his hand through her waist. He leaned closer and closer.
No please.
Boom!!!!! There was a bang and she fell on the ground. Her head was hurting so hard. She grabbed her head as if applying pressure would dissipate the pain
I am able to do as I wish!!
She turned around and saw her father tied up. What was happening? Her mother was shouting,
"Whats happening? Who are you people? You are ruining my daughter's wedding." Your daughter's wedding? More like a buisness deal.
She felt two hands grab her shoulders. She panicked. No not him. She didn't like his touch. She swatted the hands on her shoulder and turned back raising a hand to slap him. But she was stopped by the person gently grabbing her wrist.
"Minerva it's me, Albus." She couldn't believe her ears, he had came to help her. She couldn't think of anything else but jumping into his arms and she did jump.
He did not hesitate in wrapping his arms around her. She buried her head into his chest and cried all her worries out. She hung onto him. He stroked her hair lovingly, all the time whispering. "It's okay, I'm here. This marriage is not happening. I'm here dear. Minerva relax." She felt relief wash over her constantly.
It is not happening. It's not happening.
She lifted her head after sometime and looked down. He put his finger under her chin and lifted it to meet her eyes. "Minerva tell me what happened. I have brought the aurors along, they have captured them. Your word will put them behind bars." She really liked the affection in his eyes.
She gathered all her courage and got up with Albus holding her by her shoulder and arm.
"They forced me into this magic for property. They have had me locked up in my room so that I don't run away. They blocked all the ways by which I could contact anyone. They took away my wand. And they put me under the imperius curse." She paused contemplating whether to tell the other part. She decided it was best
"He also killed my mother when I was just a small child. He admitted it yesterday."
After sometime a man walked forward, "Miss McGonagall we will be taking them in without a trial we just need your signature here."
"You're taking them without a trial?" Minerva asked surprised.
The auror smiled and replied, "Indeed, having the great Albus Dumbledore as an aquaintance has its own benefits ."
"So it his him. You have been sleeping with him all the time haven't you bitch? Even when you were his student. I knew it." Minerva felt the hand on her shoulder tighten.
She walked upto her father and slapped him hard. "That was for my mother you bastard." She turned to her step-brother and slapped him. "He tried to rape me a few years ago.Try adding that to the charges."
Albus clenched his fist. She turned to her step-mother. "You are so filthy I don't even want to touch you." She walked back to Albus and held onto his hand. The aurors took the family away. The Greens had also disappeared with them.They both stood there with arms around each other when Winky popped in.
"Missy here is your wand. Winky found it in Master's room." Minerva beamed at the sight of her wand and took it from the elf.
"Thankyou Winky. Technically I am your mistress aren't I?" When Winky nodded she continued.
"Then I order you to never serve my father, my step-mother and my step-brother. You are to serve only me if you wish and if you do you can come with me to Hogwarts."
The elf squealed "Winky is more than happy Missy"
Albus looked at her, "Are you okay my dear?" She turned to Albus and stepped closer, took both his hands in hers and whispered with tears in her eyes. "Thankyou, if you were not here I don't know what would have happened. Thank you so much Albus"
Albus smiled and brought her hands to his mouth and kissed it without breaking the gaze they held. "Anytime, you were my favourite pupil after all. Now will you allow me to take you to Hogwarts." Minerva nodded and they both apparated away.
