Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Even these ideas own me, and not I them.

A/N: Wow, everybody seems to love Aunt Hestia… k. We'll work on that…

The Family disbursed throughout the manor for the rest of the day. The only time they came together was over supper. But even that was exceptionally awkward, because the host and hostess were absent. Poppy had confined Minerva to bed for the rest of the day and Albus would not leave her side.

The entire Dumbledore-McGonagall family seemed rather isolated. Albus, Theseus, Sedna, and Neptune were holding a rather loud discussion in the Fireside Room.

"What were you thinking?!" Theseus stood from the purple couch before the fire. Albus and Neptune turned from their own awkward silence. "What were you thinking, getting mother pregnant now?"

"Theseus!" Sedna cried, indignant, "He doesn't have to answer to you!"

"Well, if I recall the event," Albus smiled at Sedna's outburst, "Your mother was the instigator…"

"Don't be fresh, Albus!" Neptune stepped toward him, "My sister is in a wheelchair because she carries your child!" From that point on, Sedna wisely chose to hold her voice.

"Allright!! Sit down!" Albus rose from this place as the others returned to their chairs, "Now we didn't plan to have this child! But this is a gift given to us! If you're going to lecture me about irresponsible, why not stop and think about your own birthdate? When were you born?"

"January 6th 1947. Why?" Theseus leaned back against the couch and folded his arms.

"Count back nine months before that," Albus smiled at his son's smugness, "That was the week before you mother and I defeated Grindelwald."

Sedna laughed out loud. Theseus opened his mouth, hesitated, turned crimson, and shut his mouth again. He suddenly decided to examine the upholstery in great detail.

"So, I think considering the circumstances surrounding your birth, I believe your mother and I are accustomed to parenting in dangerous circumstances."

"Speaking of danger," retorted Neptune, "What about danger to Minerva? Her body doesn't seem to be handling this pregnancy very well." Sedna leaned forward to hear Albus response.



"I know," Albus smile dropped from his face, "Poppy told us that there is a strong chance Minerva could…" his voice cracked and he drifted over to the fire"… she could die." He finished quietly, gripping the mantle.

"I'm sorry," Neptune added respectfully, "I cannot help but worry after what happened to Deirdre."

"We can only hope…" Albus finished, turning his face upward, as if pleading for his wife.

Theseus suddenly stood and pulled Sedna out of the room, mumbling something about a tour. As they walked the ancient halls, Sedna pressed him with questions.

"Who is Deirdre? And why is everyone afraid of what happened to her?" She demanded as Theseus showed her into the expansive library.

"She was Neptune's wife." Theseus answered solemnly. "They had one son…"

"Was?" Sedna stopped.

"Yes…" Theseus turned awkwardly to talk to her, "She died in child birth, trying to bring their second child into the world. The baby died as well."

"And the other child?" Sedna's eyes were wide with the horror of the story.

"Went to live with his maternal grandmother. Neptune would not have a thing to do with him." Theseus continued without prompting, spewing the horror. "Mars refuses to even see his father now."

The evening wound down with the family listening to Amadeus play the gargantuan piano in the exquisite ballroom.

The next morning, Sedna woke rather late. She got dressed and wandered down the hall, hoping to find some means of getting breakfast. The door to the Master bedroom was open, and Sedna heard soft singing coming from the room. Peering past the door post, she saw Minerva wrapped in a dressing gown, tucked under the covers, with Daphne perched in front of her. As she plaited the girl's hair, she chanted a soft Gaelic lullaby. Sedna stopped, enchanted by the utter normality of this extraordinary family. Minerva caught sight of her frozen in the doorway. She cut off her singing with a gently chuckle.

"You look shocked!" She grinned as the intruder closed her gaping mouth, "I suppose I have not had the chance to properly meet you!" Sedna nodded, slightly embarrassed, "Well, come here and sit down lass!" Sedna obeyed, and, without even batting an eye, sat on the bed shared by the most powerful witch and wizard of the age. "Now tell me about yourself! Where are you from dear?"



"Um…"Sedna took a syllable to collect her thoughts, "I am Norwegian. My parents design magical buildings for the Magical Community. I was educated at Durmstrang, with an emphasis in Defense Against the Dar Arts. I came here two years ago to become part of the Auror Department on a student exchange program. I have decided to stay in England as part of the Auror Department."

Minerva nodded, having finished Daphne's hair, she leaned forward and whispered, "Go and get Sedna some breakfast." When the red braids bounced out of the room, Minerva leaned back against the pillows. Her iconic bun had been replaced by a long, raven braid. Her entire demeanor relaxed as a result.

"I imagine this is a wee bit awkward for you?" She probed gently.

"That would be a great way to describe it!" Sedna sighed, relaxing into herself, "I mean, he never even hinted that you were… Amazing! Celebrities!" She stumbled.

"Well, our family has never been public," Minerva grinned wistfully.

"But you're Minerva McGonagall!" Sedna exploded, pounding the bed, "You've written books on the Transfiguration Theory! You helped accomplish the fall of Grindelwald! And your husband is famous as well! He's invented…"

"I know," Minerva couldn't help but smile, "How did two people like us have a family and still keep it secret?"

"Yes!" Sedna bounced in frustration on the bed.

"Well, love does some very strange things," Minerva smoother her comforter, "Albus was my Professor at Hogwarts, and upon graduation, I joined the resistance. We fell in love towards the end of the warm and were married secretly in an occupied Paris."

"That's incredible!" Sedna seemed over whelmed, "How on earth can I…"

"You know, lass," Minerva smiled and too her hand, "When I first met Albus I thought I would never be good enough for him. But he proposed, and I have been filled with a comforting peace ever since. If you were meant to be part of this family, it will come to be." She clasped Sedna's hand between her paper-thin hands.

Sedna was consumed with release. These people are still human! She thought as she and Minerva glided into deep discussions of Transfigurations theory.

"What do you think of Sedna?" Theseus quietly asked Albus. There were in the library, enjoying light reading after breakfast.



"Well, unfortunately, I hardly know her," Albus shrugged apologetically, "I did talk to Alastor, and her is very impressed with her and her work. She seems very spirited, and she is beautiful as well." He concluded, "How do you feel about her?"

"I love her. I have known her for two years and pending your approval, I want to ask her to spend the rest of our lives together," he stood tensed for his father's reaction.

"I see," Albus answered in calculating tone, "This is a very serious step. But as your father I trust your judgment. But please, give me and your mother a little time to get to know her before we give you our blessing."

"Of course," Theseus nodded, still clinging to his tense excitement. He jumped up and went to find the younger people.

"I'll chat with her at tea today." Albus smiled to himself, remembering the nervous feeling that accompanies the first few years of love.

"Come in" Minerva sang out as she finished straightening her robes. She turned to greet her guest and found the last face she expected.

"Hello, Minerva," Hestia croaked. She had obviously not slept well last night. Her hair, clothing and face all had the worn-out second day running look.

"Hestia!" Minerva cried in concern. Even if her sister was an outcast, she was still… well Minerva's little sister. She walked over and sat her down on the bench at the end of the bed. "What happened to you?"
"There are so many souls tied to this house!" Hestia sobbed, "I didn't sense them before, but now that I'm back… They're everywhere, the words of McGonagalls from centuries ago. I spent last night wondering the house, trying to find a quiet corner!"

"That's terrible," Minerva was beginning to lose patience with her spoiled sister, "We'll see what Albus can do to create a quiet place for you."

"But that's not all!" Hestia stood from the bench and faced Minerva square on, startling her, "I've had dreams! Dreams about you and the babe. There will…"

"All right! That's enough of that!" Minerva stood and patted Hestia on the shoulder, "I may have accepted you into the family home, but I will not have your silly superstitions floating around the halls."

"But you are in grave danger!" Hestia cried as her sister walked out.

"The world is full of danger, Hestia" Minerva called back.



A/N: All who review will be greatly loved!