AN: No guarantees about any updates over the weekend. I need to recharge with some Shakespeare in the Park! I've always wondered where The Bard would fit in the Harry Potter's world.
Minerva:
She looked in the mirror. A simple stretching spell changed the proportions of her clothes to fit her body as it was now. She was dressed in her usual green robes. The shoes were a little trickier because she preferred potion-treated insoles, but then she noticed she didn't need them with her young feet. Not all of her hair could even be brushed behind her shoulders, but she did make it look neater. Some women of her age might have enjoyed experiencing their bodies like this again, but she was not among them. Especially given what her students had to see first.
A tear escaped her left eye. She wiped it away and took a deep breath. Time to face them.
The trio was gathered in the kitchen with a plate of sandwiches on the table. No one had touched them. They watched her closely, with a mixture of anxiety and pity.
"I would never wish what you saw on any of the students I care about," she began. "I know you three are worried senseless about me. I think we need to stay on mission. We will need to change location. The hotel is safe, but given the way McMannus has extended his influence I doubt anywhere else is safe."
"Is true what Giulia told us?" Harry asked. "That he is expecting us back home."
"Giulia did not speak for what I would do. As I was not violated, I see no reason to bring the authorities into this, even at home."
"What about justice?" Hermione said. "I doubt the red witch was lying when she said he has done this to other women."
"Hermione, people like him do not end up in prison," she said carefully. "McMannus is related to two other wealthy families. He will bribe and blackmail his way out of the situation. The only person who will be hurt further is me. I can't stand the way you three are looking at me right now. I don't want all of my friends, colleagues, and former students to look at me like you do."
The trio looked in different directions.
"I honestly thought Voldemort was the worst evil I'd ever face," Harry said.
"What about that house elf?" Ron asked. "Will she be killed?"
"She most likely will not be killed," Minerva said. "It is very hard to acquire a house elf in this part of Europe due to stricter laws about elfish welfare. I know that is not much of consolation. I think you three are seeing a pattern. There are just some people and beings that cannot be saved."
"I do not want to be an auror!" Hermione declared. "I want to fix the justice system for everyone. I want people like McMannus to rot!"
"Let's use that positive momentum then," Minerva said. "I suggest we head for Alexandria, Egypt."
"How the hell do we do that?" Ron asked. "Bill has been trying to get in there for ages. What connection do you have?"
"During the second year after Voldemort was defeated the first time, there was an exchange student from Uagadou. She was trying to claim asylum because she was in an arranged marriage. Her parents came for her and I talked them into dropping the marriage contract."
"Only 'talked' them out?" Harry said.
"It was not as easy as it might sound. I needed to do extensive research and spent a small fortune on correspondence to make a case. Irma Pince was also extremely helpful as she procured books even Hogwarts did not have to help me."
"So, diplomacy does work sometimes," Ron said.
"She is the collection manager at the Library of Alexandria," Minerva said.
"What exactly do you wish to find there?" Hermione asked.
"It is the greatest library in the world. When there was a fire there, the witches and wizards collected much of the muggle collection and hid it from the flames. The fire was actually caused by an ancient dark wizard with a trio of dragons. The story is, a deity, put down the wizard and turned the ancient wonder into a haven for wizards and witches."
"The concept of god again," Hermione said. "What does that even mean?"
"These are questions better answered in Alexandria."
"What about dueling?" Harry asked.
"There is a dueling laboratory. I will ask Anat for help getting us into one."
There was a knock on the door. The trio pulled out their wands. Minerva sighed and went to answer it.
A man in a green top hat, mustache, and purple velvet robes appeared.
"Hello Islington," she said.
"I'll kill the bastard," he said as he stepped in.
"This is Islington Federno," she said. "A student I mentored during my first year of teaching. I helped him get off academic probation, to participate in the quidditch final."
"I'm still mad we lost," he said. "But a scout was there and I got a nice secondary school scholarship. I majored in business, and after a year on a reserve team, I decided to try the corporate world. Here I am."
Hermione threw Minerva a look. Islington noticed.
"They really don't trust any of your friends now," he said.
"Would you, given the state I was found in?"
"Fair enough. I did use a contact in the Italian non-human office to do a surprise welfare check on the house elf. Twinkle has a black eye and a bandaged foot, but she won't press charges, which is par for the course. They did issue a citation, so if this happens again, the house elf will be removed."
Hermione and Ron looked delighted. Harry looked concerned.
"What did McMannus say?" he asked.
"He was high as a kite. He blew his nose on the citation document."
"What aren't you telling us?" Minerva said.
"The official noticed your shoes on the pillow in his room."
"Gross," Ron said.
"Hokus Italia is a fort but not impenetrable, as you saw. According to the authorities, when McMannus is mad he usually goes on a drug rager for twenty-four hours and then starts plotting revenge. If the pattern holds, he'll lose interest in a couple of weeks."
"Until he finds his next victim," Hermione said.
Minerva felt rage surge through her. There were reasons why she couldn't report it! She clenched her fists to keep from speaking.
"There won't be another victim," he said. "I bribed that official to break the anti-apparition spell and with Giulia's help, got a drop of universal neutralization potion into everything that held, and could hold liquid in his flat."
"And he didn't notice?" Harry said.
"Twinkle was making sure he stayed high the whole time. Another woman may walk into that trap, but she'll be able to run out before anything serious can happen."
The three of them looked relieved.
"The fate of the world does not depend on you three here," he said. "You do not have to solve the world's problems alone. The good guys have money too."
"We're going to Alexandria," Minerva said.
"So, you'll need a boat," he said. "I can arrange that."
"If anyone asks, we're going to Athens and my contact is Eos Moondove."
"I'll get everything in order. Prepare to depart in two hours."
Minerva offered her hand. "Thank you for everything."
"I wish I could kill him for you," he said and held it.
"It would be a waste for to you end up in jail because of him."
"Then I'll give you everything else."
He let go and tipped his hat before leaving.
Minerva faced them.
"Like he said. You're not alone anymore. Now I suggest we all pack."
The boys left. Hermione lingered.
"I didn't mean to anger you," she said. "I just—"
"I know what you meant Miss. Granger. Your desire for justice is admirable. Just be careful of when to show it."
Minerva walked away before Hermione could say anything else.
Once in her room alone, Minerva found herself crying again. Having a body only a few years past adolescence meant her emotions were more pronounced. This was going to be a challenge.