She is immortal, born in the highlands of Scotland over three hundred years ago. She is not alone. There are others like her – some good, some evil. For centuries she has battled the forces of darkness, with holy ground and Hogwarts Castle her only refuges. She cannot die, unless you take her head, and with it her power, for in the end, there can be only one. Among the wizarding world, she is Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts. But in the Game of the Immortals, she is Fiona MacLeod – the Highlander.
*Highlander: The Series version of Princes Of The Universe plays*
Chapter 2
The next morning for Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, was ordinary as far as he was concerned. Wake up, wash and dress, downstairs to where his elf had breakfast on the table waiting as soon as he opened the dining room door, copy of the Daily Prophet on the table (though of course, he already knew most of the contents). What he was not expecting was the presence of a large parcel, wrapped in sturdy packing parchment and string. The label was neatly written, so it didn't appear to be a threat. Flicking his wand toward it, the Minister cast the spells any paranoid witch or wizard would at an unexpected delivery, checking for harmful enchantments or substances (including poisons). Finding nothing untoward, only a Preservation Charm on the contents, he flicked his wand again, and the parcel came neatly undone.
At this point, the Minister was thankful he hadn't yet eaten any of his breakfast, for if he had, it would have been brought straight back up again. For sitting amid the parchment was the severed head of his Senior Undersecretary. Turning pale as a ghost, the Minister backed away from the table as far as he could. Then a small blue envelope flew up out of the wrappings, over to the Minister's ear, and Whispered a message. "Next time, send your best. If you dare." As the Whisperer disintegrated into fine blue sand, the Minister realised he needed to change. In multiple senses of the word.
Scene change – Hogwarts
At Hogwarts, meanwhile, the sole subject being talked about in the Great Hall was Professor McGonagall. Three quarters of the school were ecstatic about the fact that Umbridge was gone, while the Slytherin table were panicking, though they weren't showing it. "How long do you reckon until Malfoy goes crying for his father?" Ron asked casually. Harry looked over, and saw that Malfoy's face suddenly turned as pale as his hair, seeing Professor McGonagall enter the Hall. "If he values his father's life, I don't think he will." Hermione snorted. "Would you want to go up against someone who shrugged off four simultaneous Stunning Spells and then decapitated a –" Hermione paused to think of a suitable word – "bigoted Ministry puppet like Umbridge? Even if Mr Malfoy had advance warning, and actually used magic instead of just screaming, who knows what else Professor McGonagall can actually do, perhaps she's – are you alright, Harry? Your scar – its started bleeding."
Harry was not alright. He got up and headed for the Entrance Hall, intending to go to the hospital wing. While he hadn't mentioned it to Ron and Hermione, something had felt different since Professor McGonagall walked in. It wasn't a headache, but he could swear there was some kind of whooshing noise on the edge of his hearing, and the hairs on the back on his neck were standing on end. Ron and Hermione also got up – Ron paused for a moment to grab a last slice of toast – but unnoticed by the three, Professor McGonagall also rose from her place at the staff table and followed them.
Harry stopped by the giant hourglasses that indicated the House Points. The whooshing sound was getting louder, then suddenly stopped. "Potter." Harry turned to see Professor McGonagall, and gulped. Her sword was in her hand. "There is something about you, Potter," she said. "And it is clearly to do with your scar. So- "
But whatever Professor McGonagall was going to say fell by the wayside, as a black cloud burst from Harry's scar and went straight for Professor McGonagall. Quick as a flash, she brought up the sword through the cloud, and it screamed as the blade went through it before dissipating. Harry's heart was pounding in his chest as Professor McGonagall returned her sword to inside her robes. Then without meaning to, arched his back and spread his arms, with a gasp of pain. Professor McGonagall reacted immediately. "Mister Weasley, Miss Granger, over here. Now!" she barked in a tone that threatened danger if she was not obeyed. "Professor, what's wrong, Harry needs –" Hermione began, then gasped, as all around the Entrance Hall, the torches that were usually out during the day suddenly flared into life, into two-foot high flames, bolts of energy surged out of Harry's body, carving scorch lines along the floor and walls, even the high ceiling. And then the four giant hourglasses, that had stood there for centuries, shattered, spilling their contents all over the floor in a cascade of gems that sounded like a very brief hailstorm. Harry's arms dropped to his sides, and he stood there for a moment before collapsing in a faint. "Bloody hell!" Ron swore. "That, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said calmly, "was a Quickening. Now, the two of you get Mister Potter to the hospital wing. I shall be along shortly –" and as Harry stirred awake, she added – "And welcome to the Game, Potter."
