Harry Potter - Highlander Crossover_My Immortal_Part 2
Chapter 2
Albus Dumbledore was pacing in his office. He just couldn't understand how this was possible. Was it a mere coincidence? It had to be. Nothing else made any sense at all. This woman down in the hospital wing looked exactly like he remembered her. Tall, lanky, dark brown hair, pale skin and if she had opened her eyes he was sure he would have seen eyes of the most wonderful brown. The only explanation he could think of was that she was the granddaughter of the woman he once knew and who had fought with them so bravely to win in the war against Grindelwald in his world and Hitler in her own. Minerva had obviously not made the connection and why should she. She couldn't remember anything from the two months they spent in muggle London to fight against their enemy.
The silence in the hospital wing was broken by the sudden deep intake of breath by the woman on one of the beds. She sat up and looked around. Her eyes fell unto the slumped figure on the chair next to her bed. It was the woman she had saved from getting beheaded by Marcus. Fiona silently slipped from the bed and put on her shoes. She found her coat and her sword on top of the covers at the foot of the bed.
Fiona slipped into her coat and sheathed her katana before she walked around the bed and knelt beside the slumbering woman. She gently brushed some strands of grey hair from her temple and took a closer look at her. A sudden feeling of tenderness settled in her chest and before she realised what she was doing she gathered the woman in her arms and lifted her up. Fiona stood slowly and smiled when she felt her charge snuggle into her neck, mumbling something unintelligible. She turned and carefully put her on the nearest bed. She took off her boots and covered her with a blanket. With a last gentle brush of her hand over the woman's soft cheek she made her way towards the doors of the infirmary to find out where she was.
"Where are you going?" The stern voice of a woman stopped Fiona dead in her tracks. She turned and found the woman in dark green reclining against the pillows gazing strictly at her.
"Well, I thought I take a look and find out where I am." Fiona said sheepishly. "Look, I didn't mean to be a nuisance. Just point me in the right direction and I am out of your hair."
"I am afraid it is that simple. Ms ?" Minerva sighed.
"Fiona. Fiona McLeod." Fiona walked towards the bed with an outstretched hand and a beautiful smile. Minerva took the hand and squeezed it.
"Minerva McGonagall."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Minerva McGonagall." Fiona sat on the edge of the bed without letting go of the older woman's hand. It felt good to hold the slender, warm hand in her own.
"Likewise Ms McLeod." Minerva said with a barely noticeable lifting of the corners of her mouth.
"Please, call me Fiona." The red haired woman insisted with a small squeeze of her hand.
"Only if you call me Minerva." She had no idea what had caused her to say this but somehow it had felt right just like the holding of hands felt right. Minerva was wondering at herself, shaking her head slightly before she slipped her hand from Fiona's gentle grasp. Fiona mourned the loss of the older woman's hand as soon as she had withdrawn it.
"Minerva, where am I? When am I? What happened in the alley?"
"I suppose I could ask the same questions, don't you think?" Minerva asked with a frown. If anybody was in dire need of explaining herself it was Fiona. Poppy said she would not survive the night and yet here she was sitting on her bed without so much as a scratch.
"Why don't you accompany me to my rooms and we talk there? It would be way more comfortable and I could use a nice cup of tea after tonight's events."
"Lead the way." Fiona offered her hand to Minerva to help her stand up which the witch accepted gladly. It had been awhile since she had been treated with such chivalry if ever. She slipped from the bed only to realise that she wore no shoes. Fiona followed the trail of her eyes and blushed furiously at the sight of the stocking feet.
"Oops, sorry. I took them off to make you more comfortable."
"Yes, well."
Minerva sat back down again and put on her shoes. When she was ready she straightened her robes and led them out of the hospital wing upstairs to her rooms in the Gryffindor tower. It was due to her determined stride that they made it to her rooms in such a short time. As soon as Fiona realised that the stairs where moving and the portraits were more or less alive somehow she kept on stopping them every few metres. When Minerva couldn't take it anymore she simply grabbed the younger woman's hand and dragged her through the castle toward her rooms.
Minerva pushed the flustered woman in one of the plush chairs in her living room and poured them both a stiff drink. She held Fiona's out to her but when she refused to take Minerva put it in her hand and ordered firmly, "Drink!"
With a look at the other woman, Fiona let the whiskey burn down her throat before she handed the glass back to her hostess. Minerva soon handed her another one and sat on the end of the sofa next to Fiona with her own drink in hand.
"I suppose it is safe to say that neither of us is what we seem to be. Don't you agree?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Well, I might not know much what is going on in your world but I am quite certain that fighting each other with a sword has long been abandoned in favour for more efficient ways of killing each other. And this is only one of the things you need to explain."
Fiona stared at her; she knew there were strange things going on. Minerva waited for her answer but when none was forthcoming she continued.
"Our healer was certain you wouldn't survive the night and she is never wrong. You lost so much blood and add to that the fact that lightning was streaming to your body before you collapsed. You are not an average muggle anymore than I am one at all."
"What are you?" Fiona asked breathlessly.
"I am a witch. You are at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Minerva saw the disbelieving look in her guest's eyes and merely rolled her own before she turned into her cat form, making the other woman jump in her seat. Even more so when the cat took a leap and changed back before she landed on her feet again.
"Do not scare our guest unnecessarily, my dear", Albus scolded her gently from the door. Fiona looked around Minerva and saw a man twinkling with amusement at her. She thought she would never see him again. He looked exactly like he had fifty years previously. What was going on? First Minerva, who obviously had no idea who she was and now he.
"Hello, my friend", Albus walked into the room with his outstretched hand. Fiona gripped it tightly, her eyes full of question he knew he had to answer.
"Charles." Fiona greeted. Minerva raised her eyebrow in question, wondering why Fiona would call her friend Charles. It was the name he had used when doing intelligence work during the war. Just like she had called herself Susanne. Unfortunately she couldn't remember anything about it. Due to a severe head trauma she had lost every memory of that time. Somehow she had always felt if something was missing from her life. She couldn't say what it was but ever since she felt this hole in her heart, this strange longing for something she couldn't name. Maybe she would get her answers now.
"We met during one of my trips to the muggle world, my dear." Albus hastened to explain before Minerva could ask anything else.
"Oh." Disappointment was clearly written on her face. It seemed as if she wouldn't get her answers after all.
"Wait a minute, you said you met during the war. How can that be? She doesn't look a day older than thirty-five."
Two sets of eyes turned at her, looking expectantly and waiting for her to answer. Fiona sighed. She knew she owed them an explanation.
"I am not your ordinary human that is right", Fiona admitted. "I do not know why or how, I just know I am. There are more of us. Marcus was one of them."
"You are an immortal." Albus said, suddenly realising what she was.
"Yes, at least as long as I don't lose my head. Literally." The tall, dark woman smirked with some bitterness. She looked into Minerva's mesmerising green eyes before she continued. "I am one-thousand-three-hundred and five years old."
Both Professors looked stunned. They had no idea that such things were even possible, least of all in the muggle world. In their world witches and wizard grew old, two-hundred, three-hundred years were quite common but over a thousand.
"I look like thirty-five because that was the age when I became one of the immortals. It kind of stops the ageing process. You could easily grow old and die a natural death as an immortal but if you die a violent death you become one of them until you die in combat against another immortal."
"Is that what you do? Fight against each other. For what?" Minerva asked incredulously. What was the point of those fights? She was heading into another battle for her life very probably and she hated it. She hated to take lives and see so many good people die.
Fiona walked over to Minerva, she lifted her hand in an attempt to console the other woman but thought better of it and before Minerva realised what she had tried to do she let it fall to her side again. The immortal heaved another sigh before she answered.
"Sometimes, yes. What you saw in the alley you shouldn't have seen. But that goes both ways, doesn't it?"
"Quite right." Minerva said slightly embarrassed. Fiona smiled that the witch grudgingly admitted her mistake.
"Anyway, when we die in combat our strength or power or whatever you may call it will become a part of the winner. The last one will supposedly be the most powerful being in the world and in all probability rule the world. I am not sure that will happen though, it is more of a legend but I really hope it will not happen. Some believe those legends and they do everything in their power to make it come true while the rest of us tries to stop them."
"And Marcus?" Albus asked concerned.
"Marcus is a common criminal and a weapons dealer. A dangerous man. He and his associates don't care who they sell their weapons to as long as the money is good. Obviously people of your world are also his business partners. Which brings me to the briefcase Minerva took with her."
Albus nodded thoughtfully, "What do you propose?"
"He stole this weapon from a military plant and due to some contacts within the secret service I became part of the investigation. I need to take it back and find out who his partners were."
The Headmaster paced back and forth in Minerva's living room thinking about the situation. They needed to know what the Death Eaters were up to, now that Dark Lord had returned. If they were trying to get muggle technology to help in their attempt to gain power it meant both their worlds were in grave danger. With a decision made Dumbledore stopped and looked at his deputy.
"Minerva, I want you to accompany Fiona and be our liaison in the muggle world. We need to work together to stop this madness."
"Albus, are you out of your mind? I can't just leave, I have responsibilities. My work, my students, the Ministry..." Minerva objected strongly and passionately.
"Will all be taken care of", he assured her with his hands on her arms, squeezing gently. "Now get ready so you can leave as soon as Fiona has her briefcase back."
"I do not agree but I will do as you ask." The Professor of Transfiguration huffed in indignation.
"Good, my dear. Now Ms McLeod please follow me to my office."
"Yes, sir." The immortal mock saluted and with a last glance back at the other woman she followed him to his office.
They entered the Headmaster's office and Fiona couldn't help but wonder at the place. She was even more surprised by the large bird that was looking at her with curious eyes.
"A Phoenix." Albus said as he rounded his desk to sit down, motioning for his guest to take one of the chairs in front of it. He put the briefcase on the desk and stapled his hands under his chin, waiting for Fiona to ask what she was feverishly wanted to know. Dumbledore wished it would be different; he wished there wasn't so much pain in those beautiful brown eyes but most of all he wished he wasn't responsible for this pain.
Fiona felt her eyes water, now that the two of them were alone and she didn't have to hold such a tight rein on her emotions. She swallowed the threatening tears but her words were a mere harsh whisper, "She doesn't know who I am."
Albus shook his head sadly. It was true; Minerva had no recollection who their guest was. "Her head trauma has been severe. She doesn't even remember that she has been with me on that particular mission at all."
Not trusting her voice, Fiona nodded in understanding. This was really a cruel joke.
"Is she happy?" Fiona whispered, desperate to know.
Albus sighed at the question. How should he answer? Eventually he opted for the truth.
"Minerva is a very private person. She keeps her feelings very close to her heart. I don't really know if she is happy or ever has been since that time. But I know for sure that she has been content."
"That's good", the immortal nodded. "There really is no need to send her with me. You could always contact me and we could exchange information. There is no need to put her in any danger."
"My friend", Albus stood and walked over to Fawkes to feed him some of his favourite dreads, "it is not Minerva I am worried about. It is you. I am well aware that you can hold your own against humans and immortals but magic is something different."
Fiona frowned. She wasn't happy with the prospect of putting anybody in danger on her behalf. Before she could object though, Albus continued.
"Minerva is a very powerful woman. You should not make the mistake of underestimating her. I dare say in this world she is the most powerful witch of the time. She can take care of herself."
"She is not invincible."
"Neither are you. My dear old friend brought you here because you were in grave danger after your fight. You were at your most vulnerable, no?"
"Yes", the immortal had to admit, "after a fight, when we take up all our enemies energy we are weak."
"That is why she escaped with you. We have common enemies now and Minerva had to protect you which she will do in case you need her. The people we have to deal with are not to be taken lightly."
"But why her? Isn't there anybody else?"
Dumbledore sighed as he returned to his chair again. He wished he did have another solution, unfortunately he didn't. "I am afraid not. The less people know the better for all of us."
"I can't tell who I am, can I?"
"I wouldn't advise it, no." Albus shook his head. "You still have very strong feelings for her, I can tell. But please remember she has a life here. This is her world, where she is highly respected, loved by many friends and she doesn't take the responsibilities she has lightly. For more than half a century this was her life. It was a good life. She doesn't remember anything about the two months. Leave it be, please. For both your sakes. Promise me, to honour my request."
"I promise", Fiona agreed with a heavy heart. Albus was right. It didn't make it easier though. A sole tear stole its way down her perfect cheek, the only sign of her deep heartfelt sorrow. She quickly brushed it away when she heard light footsteps on the stairs to the office.
"Thank you", Albus whispered before he got up to greet Minerva in his office. "Come, my dear. Ms McLeod has her briefcase back and I see you have changed for the occasion."
"Well, I don't suppose my usual robes would be fitting in the streets of muggle London. I might require your help though for my other attire." Minerva grudgingly admitted with a short gaze at the woman she was to accompany.
"It will be my pleasure." Fiona smiled at the witch, taking in her black trousers and dark green shirt. Her long hair was still in its tight bun. "You might need a coat. The weather is rather chilly at this time of year."
Minerva looked annoyed at her old friend and changed one of her outer robes into a long dark coat. Fiona stepped forward and held the garment for her. With a grateful glance over her shoulder the witch slipped into her coat. She was touched by the other woman's thoughtfulness.
"Thank you."
"Now that we are all agree on the importance of the situation", Albus broke their moment, "I suggest you return and carry out your investigation. Hopefully we can stop it before any more harm is done. Should you need anything, you know where to find me."
Before Fiona could ask how they would return to her world Minerva grabbed her arm and apparated back to muggle London.
They reappeared in a quiet street, off Trafalgar square. Minerva dusted her coat and looked at her companion who seemed a little rough around the edges after this experience.
"You could have warned me, you know", Fiona said a little miffed after being manhandled like this.
"I apologise", Minerva answered, "but to explain it would have taken even longer. It is always better to experience it."
"It is quite all right. Next just a little warning would be appreciated." The immortal walked toward Trafalgar Square but stopped when the witch wasn't following. Minerva stood and gazed at her with a raised eyebrow. The stern look on her face caused Fiona to smile. She could picture Minerva quite well as a teacher.
"Aren't you coming?"
"Where are we going?" Minerva asked when she caught up with her.
"Home."
They fell in step next to each other and walked over to Charing Cross were Fiona help open the door of a taxi for Minerva. She got in after her and gave the driver her address in Soho. Because it was already fairly late the drive didn't take long and soon they exited the taxi in front of an old looking book shop in Soho. Fiona paid the driver and watched him drive off, before she walked to the back of the store to climb a flight of stairs to the first floor where she opened a door and asked Minerva to proceed ahead. The complete first floor of the book shop was turned into a very spacious and homey looking flat. When they entered the living room they found an elderly lady fast asleep in a wing chair. The immortal walked over and kneeled down in front of the chair. She gently shook the woman's shoulder to wake her but not to startle her. Slowly a pair of grey eyes opened looking confused but when they landed on the woman in front of her she made a happy sound and threw her arms around Fiona.
"Thank goodness you are back. I was so worried."
"Hush, little one", Fiona soothed the woman in her arms, "I am all right."
Fiona finally pulled back, she reached into the pocket of her trousers and handed the other woman a handkerchief.
"Ruthie", the immortal stood and held her hand out for the woman to take to help her up from the chair, "I have a guest for the time being."
"Oh", Ruth was surprised. Fiona walked over to Minerva. She stood behind the witch to introduce the two women.
"Ruth Warner, please meet Minerva McGonagall."
Ruth looked at the smiling woman in front of her and covered her mouth in shock. Not that they had ever made personally but a look into this woman's eyes, her face and the way Fiona slightly shook her head was all confirmation she needed. Ruth gathered her wits and welcomed her warmly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise." Minerva shook the offered hand. She felt at ease here, a feeling she hadn't thought possible in this situation or surroundings.
"Why don't you two have a nice cup of tea while I go have a shower and change", Fiona suggest on her way to her bedroom.
"Good idea", Ruth couldn't agree more. "Maybe you can tell me how you two met."
"You are quite in for an interesting story. Oh, by the way Ruthie, she knows." Fiona disappeared in her bedroom, leaving a smiling Ruth and rather befuddled Minerva behind.
Fiona closed the door behind her before she slumped against it and slid down muffing the sound of her tears with a tight fist in her mouth. In the safety of her bedroom she let the tears fall freely she had so successfully kept at bay at Dumbledore's office. With her knees against her chest and her head resting on her knees she thought she would never be able to stop crying. After a good fifteen minutes she ran out of tears. She let her head fall against the door, inhaling a shuttering breath. Everything she had ever wished for and dreamed of was so close and yet even farther away than ever before. She would honour Albus's wishes. He was right; Minerva had a life, a good life and she had no right to interfere. They would do what was necessary to stop this madness and then they would say good bye. With a heavy heart she stood and walked into her bathroom to get rid of the dried blood and dirt.
Meanwhile Ruth and Minerva were chatting amiably in the kitchen over a delightful cup of tea. Ruth did her best not to stare at the other woman, wondering how is was even possible to see her after all this years. How old was she anyway? She looked to be in her early sixties but Ruth knew that couldn't be possible. Shaking her head at herself, well, Fiona looked like in her thirties when she was over a millennium old. Minerva gazed at the other woman over the rim of her tea cup. So far she had told her nothing that she hadn't guessed already. She also wondered why Ruth kept looking at her that way as if she was knew her somehow when she had only met her this evening.
"So you were saving Fiona's life back in that alley?" Ruth interrupted her thoughts.
"After she had saved mine", Minerva smiled slightly. "May I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"First, why do you keep looking at me as if I am supposed to know you and second, why did Fiona call you 'little one'?"
Ruth laughed lightly at the question, embarrassed that she hadn't been as unobtrusive as she had hoped she would be.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean make to make you uncomfortable but you remind me of someone." She was glad that her training with the Secret Service was still coming in handy in her old age. A smooth lie was something she was accustomed with.
"As for the second, well, old habits die hard. Fiona met my mother when she was pregnant with me. She helped to bring me into the world and after my mother died she was the only one I had."
"I am sorry."
"Don't be", Ruth assured her, "she was a wonderful mother. The best one can think of."
"Elsa would have been very proud of you", Fiona said from the door way. She leaned against it, with her head against the door jam. She smiled at the women at the kitchen table.
"You think so?" Ruth asked insecure. Even at the tender age of eighty-three she sometimes wondered what her mother would have thought about her life.
"I know so." The immortal pushed away from the door jam, she walked to Ruth's chair and deposited a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. Her eyes met Minerva's and there passed a certain understanding between them.
Fiona fetched herself a cup before she joined them at the table. She sat down with her own steaming cup of tea before she told Minerva about Elsa and how they met. Their life together, Ruth birth, how they raised her together. She also admitted that they were lovers and how Elsa died in a car accident in 1935. How she raised Ruth on her own then and how she opened they book shop and was content ever since. Not a word about her activities with Dumbledore or her role during the war to find German spies and eliminate them or how she met the wizard and his best friend doing the same for their world.
When Ruth tried to suppress another yawn, Fiona chuckled and called it a night for. She suggested that Ruth should take one the guest rooms while she showed Minerva to the other one.
Fiona turned on the light in the second guest room and preceded Minerva into a beautiful decorated room with warm colours and expensive furniture. The bed looked comfortable and large enough for at least four people.
"The bathroom is through the door opposite", Fiona explained. "Please, make yourself at home. Feel free to make use of the kitchen or anything else. If you need anything my bedroom is the last door down the hall."
"Thank you", Minerva nodded at her gracious hostess. Fiona turned to leave but was stopped by a gentle hand on her arm. "I mean it. You didn't have to do that. I could have easily gone into a hotel."
"I know you could", the immortal covered the hand on her arm gently with one of her own, squeezing it lightly. "It is nice to have somebody around for a change. Please, don't think you are imposing on me."
"All right, then. Thank you."
"You are welcome." Fiona closed the door behind her and returned to her bedroom for a sleepless night.
Chapter 2
Albus Dumbledore was pacing in his office. He just couldn't understand how this was possible. Was it a mere coincidence? It had to be. Nothing else made any sense at all. This woman down in the hospital wing looked exactly like he remembered her. Tall, lanky, dark brown hair, pale skin and if she had opened her eyes he was sure he would have seen eyes of the most wonderful brown. The only explanation he could think of was that she was the granddaughter of the woman he once knew and who had fought with them so bravely to win in the war against Grindelwald in his world and Hitler in her own. Minerva had obviously not made the connection and why should she. She couldn't remember anything from the two months they spent in muggle London to fight against their enemy.
The silence in the hospital wing was broken by the sudden deep intake of breath by the woman on one of the beds. She sat up and looked around. Her eyes fell unto the slumped figure on the chair next to her bed. It was the woman she had saved from getting beheaded by Marcus. Fiona silently slipped from the bed and put on her shoes. She found her coat and her sword on top of the covers at the foot of the bed.
Fiona slipped into her coat and sheathed her katana before she walked around the bed and knelt beside the slumbering woman. She gently brushed some strands of grey hair from her temple and took a closer look at her. A sudden feeling of tenderness settled in her chest and before she realised what she was doing she gathered the woman in her arms and lifted her up. Fiona stood slowly and smiled when she felt her charge snuggle into her neck, mumbling something unintelligible. She turned and carefully put her on the nearest bed. She took off her boots and covered her with a blanket. With a last gentle brush of her hand over the woman's soft cheek she made her way towards the doors of the infirmary to find out where she was.
"Where are you going?" The stern voice of a woman stopped Fiona dead in her tracks. She turned and found the woman in dark green reclining against the pillows gazing strictly at her.
"Well, I thought I take a look and find out where I am." Fiona said sheepishly. "Look, I didn't mean to be a nuisance. Just point me in the right direction and I am out of your hair."
"I am afraid it is that simple. Ms ?" Minerva sighed.
"Fiona. Fiona McLeod." Fiona walked towards the bed with an outstretched hand and a beautiful smile. Minerva took the hand and squeezed it.
"Minerva McGonagall."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Minerva McGonagall." Fiona sat on the edge of the bed without letting go of the older woman's hand. It felt good to hold the slender, warm hand in her own.
"Likewise Ms McLeod." Minerva said with a barely noticeable lifting of the corners of her mouth.
"Please, call me Fiona." The red haired woman insisted with a small squeeze of her hand.
"Only if you call me Minerva." She had no idea what had caused her to say this but somehow it had felt right just like the holding of hands felt right. Minerva was wondering at herself, shaking her head slightly before she slipped her hand from Fiona's gentle grasp. Fiona mourned the loss of the older woman's hand as soon as she had withdrawn it.
"Minerva, where am I? When am I? What happened in the alley?"
"I suppose I could ask the same questions, don't you think?" Minerva asked with a frown. If anybody was in dire need of explaining herself it was Fiona. Poppy said she would not survive the night and yet here she was sitting on her bed without so much as a scratch.
"Why don't you accompany me to my rooms and we talk there? It would be way more comfortable and I could use a nice cup of tea after tonight's events."
"Lead the way." Fiona offered her hand to Minerva to help her stand up which the witch accepted gladly. It had been awhile since she had been treated with such chivalry if ever. She slipped from the bed only to realise that she wore no shoes. Fiona followed the trail of her eyes and blushed furiously at the sight of the stocking feet.
"Oops, sorry. I took them off to make you more comfortable."
"Yes, well."
Minerva sat back down again and put on her shoes. When she was ready she straightened her robes and led them out of the hospital wing upstairs to her rooms in the Gryffindor tower. It was due to her determined stride that they made it to her rooms in such a short time. As soon as Fiona realised that the stairs where moving and the portraits were more or less alive somehow she kept on stopping them every few metres. When Minerva couldn't take it anymore she simply grabbed the younger woman's hand and dragged her through the castle toward her rooms.
Minerva pushed the flustered woman in one of the plush chairs in her living room and poured them both a stiff drink. She held Fiona's out to her but when she refused to take Minerva put it in her hand and ordered firmly, "Drink!"
With a look at the other woman, Fiona let the whiskey burn down her throat before she handed the glass back to her hostess. Minerva soon handed her another one and sat on the end of the sofa next to Fiona with her own drink in hand.
"I suppose it is safe to say that neither of us is what we seem to be. Don't you agree?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Well, I might not know much what is going on in your world but I am quite certain that fighting each other with a sword has long been abandoned in favour for more efficient ways of killing each other. And this is only one of the things you need to explain."
Fiona stared at her; she knew there were strange things going on. Minerva waited for her answer but when none was forthcoming she continued.
"Our healer was certain you wouldn't survive the night and she is never wrong. You lost so much blood and add to that the fact that lightning was streaming to your body before you collapsed. You are not an average muggle anymore than I am one at all."
"What are you?" Fiona asked breathlessly.
"I am a witch. You are at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Minerva saw the disbelieving look in her guest's eyes and merely rolled her own before she turned into her cat form, making the other woman jump in her seat. Even more so when the cat took a leap and changed back before she landed on her feet again.
"Do not scare our guest unnecessarily, my dear", Albus scolded her gently from the door. Fiona looked around Minerva and saw a man twinkling with amusement at her. She thought she would never see him again. He looked exactly like he had fifty years previously. What was going on? First Minerva, who obviously had no idea who she was and now he.
"Hello, my friend", Albus walked into the room with his outstretched hand. Fiona gripped it tightly, her eyes full of question he knew he had to answer.
"Charles." Fiona greeted. Minerva raised her eyebrow in question, wondering why Fiona would call her friend Charles. It was the name he had used when doing intelligence work during the war. Just like she had called herself Susanne. Unfortunately she couldn't remember anything about it. Due to a severe head trauma she had lost every memory of that time. Somehow she had always felt if something was missing from her life. She couldn't say what it was but ever since she felt this hole in her heart, this strange longing for something she couldn't name. Maybe she would get her answers now.
"We met during one of my trips to the muggle world, my dear." Albus hastened to explain before Minerva could ask anything else.
"Oh." Disappointment was clearly written on her face. It seemed as if she wouldn't get her answers after all.
"Wait a minute, you said you met during the war. How can that be? She doesn't look a day older than thirty-five."
Two sets of eyes turned at her, looking expectantly and waiting for her to answer. Fiona sighed. She knew she owed them an explanation.
"I am not your ordinary human that is right", Fiona admitted. "I do not know why or how, I just know I am. There are more of us. Marcus was one of them."
"You are an immortal." Albus said, suddenly realising what she was.
"Yes, at least as long as I don't lose my head. Literally." The tall, dark woman smirked with some bitterness. She looked into Minerva's mesmerising green eyes before she continued. "I am one-thousand-three-hundred and five years old."
Both Professors looked stunned. They had no idea that such things were even possible, least of all in the muggle world. In their world witches and wizard grew old, two-hundred, three-hundred years were quite common but over a thousand.
"I look like thirty-five because that was the age when I became one of the immortals. It kind of stops the ageing process. You could easily grow old and die a natural death as an immortal but if you die a violent death you become one of them until you die in combat against another immortal."
"Is that what you do? Fight against each other. For what?" Minerva asked incredulously. What was the point of those fights? She was heading into another battle for her life very probably and she hated it. She hated to take lives and see so many good people die.
Fiona walked over to Minerva, she lifted her hand in an attempt to console the other woman but thought better of it and before Minerva realised what she had tried to do she let it fall to her side again. The immortal heaved another sigh before she answered.
"Sometimes, yes. What you saw in the alley you shouldn't have seen. But that goes both ways, doesn't it?"
"Quite right." Minerva said slightly embarrassed. Fiona smiled that the witch grudgingly admitted her mistake.
"Anyway, when we die in combat our strength or power or whatever you may call it will become a part of the winner. The last one will supposedly be the most powerful being in the world and in all probability rule the world. I am not sure that will happen though, it is more of a legend but I really hope it will not happen. Some believe those legends and they do everything in their power to make it come true while the rest of us tries to stop them."
"And Marcus?" Albus asked concerned.
"Marcus is a common criminal and a weapons dealer. A dangerous man. He and his associates don't care who they sell their weapons to as long as the money is good. Obviously people of your world are also his business partners. Which brings me to the briefcase Minerva took with her."
Albus nodded thoughtfully, "What do you propose?"
"He stole this weapon from a military plant and due to some contacts within the secret service I became part of the investigation. I need to take it back and find out who his partners were."
The Headmaster paced back and forth in Minerva's living room thinking about the situation. They needed to know what the Death Eaters were up to, now that Dark Lord had returned. If they were trying to get muggle technology to help in their attempt to gain power it meant both their worlds were in grave danger. With a decision made Dumbledore stopped and looked at his deputy.
"Minerva, I want you to accompany Fiona and be our liaison in the muggle world. We need to work together to stop this madness."
"Albus, are you out of your mind? I can't just leave, I have responsibilities. My work, my students, the Ministry..." Minerva objected strongly and passionately.
"Will all be taken care of", he assured her with his hands on her arms, squeezing gently. "Now get ready so you can leave as soon as Fiona has her briefcase back."
"I do not agree but I will do as you ask." The Professor of Transfiguration huffed in indignation.
"Good, my dear. Now Ms McLeod please follow me to my office."
"Yes, sir." The immortal mock saluted and with a last glance back at the other woman she followed him to his office.
They entered the Headmaster's office and Fiona couldn't help but wonder at the place. She was even more surprised by the large bird that was looking at her with curious eyes.
"A Phoenix." Albus said as he rounded his desk to sit down, motioning for his guest to take one of the chairs in front of it. He put the briefcase on the desk and stapled his hands under his chin, waiting for Fiona to ask what she was feverishly wanted to know. Dumbledore wished it would be different; he wished there wasn't so much pain in those beautiful brown eyes but most of all he wished he wasn't responsible for this pain.
Fiona felt her eyes water, now that the two of them were alone and she didn't have to hold such a tight rein on her emotions. She swallowed the threatening tears but her words were a mere harsh whisper, "She doesn't know who I am."
Albus shook his head sadly. It was true; Minerva had no recollection who their guest was. "Her head trauma has been severe. She doesn't even remember that she has been with me on that particular mission at all."
Not trusting her voice, Fiona nodded in understanding. This was really a cruel joke.
"Is she happy?" Fiona whispered, desperate to know.
Albus sighed at the question. How should he answer? Eventually he opted for the truth.
"Minerva is a very private person. She keeps her feelings very close to her heart. I don't really know if she is happy or ever has been since that time. But I know for sure that she has been content."
"That's good", the immortal nodded. "There really is no need to send her with me. You could always contact me and we could exchange information. There is no need to put her in any danger."
"My friend", Albus stood and walked over to Fawkes to feed him some of his favourite dreads, "it is not Minerva I am worried about. It is you. I am well aware that you can hold your own against humans and immortals but magic is something different."
Fiona frowned. She wasn't happy with the prospect of putting anybody in danger on her behalf. Before she could object though, Albus continued.
"Minerva is a very powerful woman. You should not make the mistake of underestimating her. I dare say in this world she is the most powerful witch of the time. She can take care of herself."
"She is not invincible."
"Neither are you. My dear old friend brought you here because you were in grave danger after your fight. You were at your most vulnerable, no?"
"Yes", the immortal had to admit, "after a fight, when we take up all our enemies energy we are weak."
"That is why she escaped with you. We have common enemies now and Minerva had to protect you which she will do in case you need her. The people we have to deal with are not to be taken lightly."
"But why her? Isn't there anybody else?"
Dumbledore sighed as he returned to his chair again. He wished he did have another solution, unfortunately he didn't. "I am afraid not. The less people know the better for all of us."
"I can't tell who I am, can I?"
"I wouldn't advise it, no." Albus shook his head. "You still have very strong feelings for her, I can tell. But please remember she has a life here. This is her world, where she is highly respected, loved by many friends and she doesn't take the responsibilities she has lightly. For more than half a century this was her life. It was a good life. She doesn't remember anything about the two months. Leave it be, please. For both your sakes. Promise me, to honour my request."
"I promise", Fiona agreed with a heavy heart. Albus was right. It didn't make it easier though. A sole tear stole its way down her perfect cheek, the only sign of her deep heartfelt sorrow. She quickly brushed it away when she heard light footsteps on the stairs to the office.
"Thank you", Albus whispered before he got up to greet Minerva in his office. "Come, my dear. Ms McLeod has her briefcase back and I see you have changed for the occasion."
"Well, I don't suppose my usual robes would be fitting in the streets of muggle London. I might require your help though for my other attire." Minerva grudgingly admitted with a short gaze at the woman she was to accompany.
"It will be my pleasure." Fiona smiled at the witch, taking in her black trousers and dark green shirt. Her long hair was still in its tight bun. "You might need a coat. The weather is rather chilly at this time of year."
Minerva looked annoyed at her old friend and changed one of her outer robes into a long dark coat. Fiona stepped forward and held the garment for her. With a grateful glance over her shoulder the witch slipped into her coat. She was touched by the other woman's thoughtfulness.
"Thank you."
"Now that we are all agree on the importance of the situation", Albus broke their moment, "I suggest you return and carry out your investigation. Hopefully we can stop it before any more harm is done. Should you need anything, you know where to find me."
Before Fiona could ask how they would return to her world Minerva grabbed her arm and apparated back to muggle London.
They reappeared in a quiet street, off Trafalgar square. Minerva dusted her coat and looked at her companion who seemed a little rough around the edges after this experience.
"You could have warned me, you know", Fiona said a little miffed after being manhandled like this.
"I apologise", Minerva answered, "but to explain it would have taken even longer. It is always better to experience it."
"It is quite all right. Next just a little warning would be appreciated." The immortal walked toward Trafalgar Square but stopped when the witch wasn't following. Minerva stood and gazed at her with a raised eyebrow. The stern look on her face caused Fiona to smile. She could picture Minerva quite well as a teacher.
"Aren't you coming?"
"Where are we going?" Minerva asked when she caught up with her.
"Home."
They fell in step next to each other and walked over to Charing Cross were Fiona help open the door of a taxi for Minerva. She got in after her and gave the driver her address in Soho. Because it was already fairly late the drive didn't take long and soon they exited the taxi in front of an old looking book shop in Soho. Fiona paid the driver and watched him drive off, before she walked to the back of the store to climb a flight of stairs to the first floor where she opened a door and asked Minerva to proceed ahead. The complete first floor of the book shop was turned into a very spacious and homey looking flat. When they entered the living room they found an elderly lady fast asleep in a wing chair. The immortal walked over and kneeled down in front of the chair. She gently shook the woman's shoulder to wake her but not to startle her. Slowly a pair of grey eyes opened looking confused but when they landed on the woman in front of her she made a happy sound and threw her arms around Fiona.
"Thank goodness you are back. I was so worried."
"Hush, little one", Fiona soothed the woman in her arms, "I am all right."
Fiona finally pulled back, she reached into the pocket of her trousers and handed the other woman a handkerchief.
"Ruthie", the immortal stood and held her hand out for the woman to take to help her up from the chair, "I have a guest for the time being."
"Oh", Ruth was surprised. Fiona walked over to Minerva. She stood behind the witch to introduce the two women.
"Ruth Warner, please meet Minerva McGonagall."
Ruth looked at the smiling woman in front of her and covered her mouth in shock. Not that they had ever made personally but a look into this woman's eyes, her face and the way Fiona slightly shook her head was all confirmation she needed. Ruth gathered her wits and welcomed her warmly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise." Minerva shook the offered hand. She felt at ease here, a feeling she hadn't thought possible in this situation or surroundings.
"Why don't you two have a nice cup of tea while I go have a shower and change", Fiona suggest on her way to her bedroom.
"Good idea", Ruth couldn't agree more. "Maybe you can tell me how you two met."
"You are quite in for an interesting story. Oh, by the way Ruthie, she knows." Fiona disappeared in her bedroom, leaving a smiling Ruth and rather befuddled Minerva behind.
Fiona closed the door behind her before she slumped against it and slid down muffing the sound of her tears with a tight fist in her mouth. In the safety of her bedroom she let the tears fall freely she had so successfully kept at bay at Dumbledore's office. With her knees against her chest and her head resting on her knees she thought she would never be able to stop crying. After a good fifteen minutes she ran out of tears. She let her head fall against the door, inhaling a shuttering breath. Everything she had ever wished for and dreamed of was so close and yet even farther away than ever before. She would honour Albus's wishes. He was right; Minerva had a life, a good life and she had no right to interfere. They would do what was necessary to stop this madness and then they would say good bye. With a heavy heart she stood and walked into her bathroom to get rid of the dried blood and dirt.
Meanwhile Ruth and Minerva were chatting amiably in the kitchen over a delightful cup of tea. Ruth did her best not to stare at the other woman, wondering how is was even possible to see her after all this years. How old was she anyway? She looked to be in her early sixties but Ruth knew that couldn't be possible. Shaking her head at herself, well, Fiona looked like in her thirties when she was over a millennium old. Minerva gazed at the other woman over the rim of her tea cup. So far she had told her nothing that she hadn't guessed already. She also wondered why Ruth kept looking at her that way as if she was knew her somehow when she had only met her this evening.
"So you were saving Fiona's life back in that alley?" Ruth interrupted her thoughts.
"After she had saved mine", Minerva smiled slightly. "May I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"First, why do you keep looking at me as if I am supposed to know you and second, why did Fiona call you 'little one'?"
Ruth laughed lightly at the question, embarrassed that she hadn't been as unobtrusive as she had hoped she would be.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean make to make you uncomfortable but you remind me of someone." She was glad that her training with the Secret Service was still coming in handy in her old age. A smooth lie was something she was accustomed with.
"As for the second, well, old habits die hard. Fiona met my mother when she was pregnant with me. She helped to bring me into the world and after my mother died she was the only one I had."
"I am sorry."
"Don't be", Ruth assured her, "she was a wonderful mother. The best one can think of."
"Elsa would have been very proud of you", Fiona said from the door way. She leaned against it, with her head against the door jam. She smiled at the women at the kitchen table.
"You think so?" Ruth asked insecure. Even at the tender age of eighty-three she sometimes wondered what her mother would have thought about her life.
"I know so." The immortal pushed away from the door jam, she walked to Ruth's chair and deposited a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. Her eyes met Minerva's and there passed a certain understanding between them.
Fiona fetched herself a cup before she joined them at the table. She sat down with her own steaming cup of tea before she told Minerva about Elsa and how they met. Their life together, Ruth birth, how they raised her together. She also admitted that they were lovers and how Elsa died in a car accident in 1935. How she raised Ruth on her own then and how she opened they book shop and was content ever since. Not a word about her activities with Dumbledore or her role during the war to find German spies and eliminate them or how she met the wizard and his best friend doing the same for their world.
When Ruth tried to suppress another yawn, Fiona chuckled and called it a night for. She suggested that Ruth should take one the guest rooms while she showed Minerva to the other one.
Fiona turned on the light in the second guest room and preceded Minerva into a beautiful decorated room with warm colours and expensive furniture. The bed looked comfortable and large enough for at least four people.
"The bathroom is through the door opposite", Fiona explained. "Please, make yourself at home. Feel free to make use of the kitchen or anything else. If you need anything my bedroom is the last door down the hall."
"Thank you", Minerva nodded at her gracious hostess. Fiona turned to leave but was stopped by a gentle hand on her arm. "I mean it. You didn't have to do that. I could have easily gone into a hotel."
"I know you could", the immortal covered the hand on her arm gently with one of her own, squeezing it lightly. "It is nice to have somebody around for a change. Please, don't think you are imposing on me."
"All right, then. Thank you."
"You are welcome." Fiona closed the door behind her and returned to her bedroom for a sleepless night.