A/N: This text means it is spoken in Gaelic. I know this is a bit shorter, but I wanted to get it out sooner. The next update should be soon. Enjoy!
As Albus Dumbledore bit into a perfectly prepared trifle, he felt it was a blessing the Hogwarts house elves remained dedicated and strong even with the uncertainty and changes around them. Particularly when dessert was concerned. While he was unsure where the coming months would find them, at this moment in time he was exactly where he not only needed, but wanted to be. Looking to either side of him and out into the Great Hall he saw former enemies breaking bread (well, brioche rolls), new faces becoming better acquainted, and familiar faces lost in the joy of a delicious meal in a welcoming setting.
He smiled , thinking to a scant thirty minutes earlier when Sirius had nonchalantly sat down beside Harry and asked him to pass the roasted potatoes. Harry, acting on instinct, reached for them before standing so quickly he fell over the bench. Sirius grinned and offered him his hand. That was a rather…exciting start to dinner, though Dumbledore could not figure out if Sirius' reappearance would reign as the most notable, or if upon his introduction of Bellatrix Lestr- Black at the conclusion of dinner she would usurp his position.
Hermione, for her part, was enjoying the evening immensely. She was having a typical Hogwarts dinner with her parents and sister, introducing them to the (other) most important people in her life. Arthur had managed to seat himself next to Dan, and was intently asking questions about dentistry as well as doorbells. Her mother was chatting with Molly about the differences in raising magical and muggle children, and Ron was deeply involved in talking about a great lot of nothing with Julie, whom he had latched onto the moment Hermione introduced them. The younger Granger also found herself quite taken by the tall redheaded teen, and though the two were speaking she could not for the life of her remember what about.
"Ladies and gentlemen, witches and wizards, may I have your attention please?" Dumbledore stood from his seat at the head of the staff table. All eyes trained upon him, even Harry managed to tear his eyes away from Sirius. "While we are indeed fortunate to have Mr. Black-"
"Lord Black!" Sirius shouted to the amusement of others. Snape rolled his eyes.
"-Mr. Lord Black with us again, there is another person whom I feel compelled to introduce. Trust in my judgment, friends, and wait before you act." He clapped his hands once, the sound echoing through the silent room. "Ms. Narcissa Black, and her sister, Bellatrix Black." The doors opened amidst the roar of half the room. Narcissa and Bellatrix were led by Helios, whose wand was at the ready in the event he would need to step in. Amplifying his voice, "SILENCE!" spread through the Great Hall, though not for long.
"Headmaster, how can you have her here? She tortured my parents!" Neville Longbottom proclaimed. Molly Weasley nodded vigorously, her hand on her wand.
"Indeed, Headmaster Dumbledore what is that Death Eater doing in Hogwarts?!" she snarled the last part, sparing an acidic glare towards the dark witch in question.
Before Dumbledore could even take in breath to explain, Helios stepped in.
"Enough!" while some of those in the Great Hall were now familiar with at least who he was, to most he was still a stranger in their midst. "The Headmaster speaks the truth. I witnessed Minerva's torturer subjecting Bellatrix to similar treatment, and heard him confess to using Bellatrix's likeness over the years to further Voldemort's machinations." Helios then led the Black sisters to the nearest table, helping Bellatrix sit down gingerly next to Andromeda. There was a murmur throughout the long tables, and amongst the staff. Kingsley Shackelbolt stood up from beside Bill Weasley, giving Helios a measured glare.
"Why should any of us believe you?" his voice strong and incredulous, naturally booming. Helios saw heads nodding, and some whispering to their neighbors. He noticed Hermione sat still, eyes glancing throughout the room in an attempt to take stock of who would need convincing, and who was already on board.
BOOM!
The doors slammed open, and everyone's heads whipped to the entrance, wands at the ready. There was nobody visible, even Dumbledore seemed perplexed. Helios, however, being closest to the doorway saw the small shadowy figure barely discernible from the dark stone floor, until it began rapidly approaching.
A smallish tabby cat strode purposefully towards the front table, eyes not leaving Dumbledore's. Minerva smelled Hermione, reassured of her health and safety. Without breaking her stride Minerva transformed back into her human form, ignoring the gasps, sobs, and Fred Weasley's "Bloody hell!" The sound of her boots marching purposefully forward filled the room, underlining her strong gait. A few bruises littered her cheek, a reminder to the treatment she was subjected to and still healing from. If she was in any pain her face did not show it. She stopped in front of the staff table, where it last seemed a lifetime ago she sat.
"You should believe him, Kingsley, because he is my brother." That caused the auror's mouth to snap shut. Minerva looked at the assembled people, slowing when her eyes fell upon her lover's. Hermione had tears in her eyes, but a smile of pure happiness upon her face. Minerva wanted desperately to pull the young woman to her, hold and be held. But it would have to wait for a more private moment.
"Minerva…Minnie," a female voice behind her whispered. She quickly swiveled, eyes seeking out the familiar voice, stopping upon –
"Aurora," Minerva replied. Her sister moved towards her, stopping a mere foot away. Helios quickly joined his twin. Their older sister, lost for so many years, stood before them, eyes unclouded as her memories were clear as crystal at last. "Brother, sister. I have missed you." Minerva reached for them as they did for her. She wrapped an arm around each of them, held them close. She would not let herself cry, not yet. Helios' strong embrace, warm and familiar soothed her nerves, as Aurora's watery eyes broke and mended her heart at once. "Too much time, so many years I've ignored you, forgotten your names…your faces. I apologize, Aurora, Helios. Forgive an old fool?" Aurora laughed dismissively.
"Aye, if you're old, Minnie, I'm the damned Pope. There isn't anything to forgive. You are not the one at fault, it is Dumbledore's actions that got us here." Minerva sensed her sister's ire. Helios looked at the man in question.
"Perhaps, but it was because mother and father wanted it so. Aurora, there's been too much anger already. What Minerva wants to do, will be done. If she wants to take issue with what happened, I support her. If she wants to let it lie, I support her. We are reunited; can we not enjoy that for a time, however brief?" Aurora groaned to herself, cursing her brother for his level-headedness. Minerva looked up to where Albus Dumbledore, her long-time friend and mentor. A tired, curious, and anxious face greeted her.
"Albus," she began, taking a calming breath. "What happened cannot be undone. I understand why you did it, but never again think to keep anything from me. Ever. Is that understood?" The Headmaster nodded, not trusting his voice just yet. She turned to the others, seeing herself with a standing audience. "I know you have questions, but now is not the time for them," Minerva told the group. "The past is gone; the future is where we are heading. We must stay united, opening our minds and hearts to new allies and friends." She gave Bellatrix and Narcissa a pointed look. The dark witch and her sister nodded slightly in response. The stern look in her eyes softened upon locking with the warm chocolate gaze of her lover. "I am grateful to be back at Hogwarts, and while I may appear…different, I am still Minerva McGonagall, professor and Deputy Headmistress." Aurora grinned at her sister's modesty.
"And first female full-Breaker in countless generations," she added. Kingsley's eyebrows shot up at that, and whispers broke out.
"A Breaker? They are just legend, a myth," he said. Dumbledore found his voice.
"They are quite real, Kingsley, and Minerva's lineage connects directly to the first Breaker. As she is the first born, she is a full-Breaker, her brothers and sister being half-Breakers. Which means that while we have a powerful ally on our side, so too does Voldemort." As Dumbledore went on to answer questions about Minerva's heritage, she maintained eye contact with Hermione, trying to read the young woman's eyes, feeling her nerves begin to fail her.
The young woman in question was fighting every urge to jump up and run to Minerva. When she saw the small familiar tabby cat her breath hitched. When she saw the lithe form of her awake and healing lover walking, looking stronger than before she could not contain her tears, she sobbed her relief. The only thing preventing her from pulling the older witch into her arms was the fear of Minerva being punished for their actions.
As Minerva let herself be pulled into a hug by Sirius Black (to which she raised a confused eyebrow upon Aurora's grin, never mind the fact that he was alive), Filch ran screaming into the Great Hall, looking more gaunt than usual.
"D-Dementors! Th-they are coming across the lake!" Dumbledore motioned for silence and quickly approached the frightened man.
"How many of them?" When Filch began shaking like a leaf in the cold winter wind, Dumbledore brought him a piece of chocolate cake and fed it to the frightened squib. Filch ate a small bite, and began to immediately calm. "Mr. Filch, how many Dementors are coming?"
"I was a few miles away, Headmaster, and saw them with my spyglass, so forgive my estimate, but there were at least two hundred, all headed straight for the castle!" Harry grimaced, knowing full well what that many Dementors were capable of. Ron's face turned as white as Peeves, then remembering Hermione's sister tried his best to quickly regain his composure.
Flitwick sputtered in surprise. "How is this possible? There are not that many Dementors in Great Britain! Could it be an illusion?" Snape's scowl deepened; he had not been privy to this piece of information from the Dark Lord.
Minerva shook her head. "No Filius, it is no illusion. It is the work of Ares. Dementors and Breakers have a long, colorful history. He wishes to intimidate us. However, he does not know the full extent of my abilities."
Harry looked to her. "How can that be, professor?" A wry smile crossed her lips.
"Because until an hour ago, I did not know the extent of my powers." Aurora chuckled at that. Around them people were coming up with plans of attack and defense, discarding them, and coming up with new ones. Hermione was explaining to her family what Dementors were, and why that many were not only dangerous, but unheard of. Minerva turned to Helios. "How long until they arrive?"
Her brother thought for a moment, before speaking. "Given the distance and the speed with which a Dementor travels, I would estimate ten minutes at the most." His voice was calm and light. This new information sent another jolt of panic through the room. Dumbledore tried to regain control but found his attention pulled in every direction but the right one. Helios and Aurora glanced to each other, before closing the distance between themselves and Minerva.
"What shall we do?" Aurora asked. Helios looked around, noting clusters of people gathering.
"The Order seems to be getting ready to go on the defensive. That will not hold the Dementors off for long, if at all," Helios muttered. Minerva's brow furrowed. She saw her lover with a comforting hand upon her younger sister's arm; Mr. Filch holding Mrs. Norris tightly to his chest; even Bellatrix and Narcissa discreetly holding hands, their faces pale. There had been hope. There had been new futures and possibilities. She would not allow her brother and his army of Dementors to jeopardize that.
"Listen!" she yelled, getting everyone's attention. In the frenzied minutes since learning about the new threat, her reemergence as a Breaker had been all but forgotten. She smiled to herself.
It was time to make a statement to her brother that she was not one to be trifled with.
"All of you, stay within the Great Hall. Bar the doors, stay away from the windows." She turned to Aurora. "Fortify the wards with Albus. They must be strengthened to withstand apparations; Merlin knows Ares' powers." Her sister nodded in understanding, and she quickly went to stand near the aged Headmaster. Her eyes met Helios'. "Come with me." He stepped beside her, and they began walking towards the doors. Dumbledore trusted in her to do what was necessary. Others, however, seemed less certain.
"Where are you going?!" Filius yelled to the Deputy Headmistress. Without stopping, for she knew seeing Hermione's worried eyes for even a moment would break her heart and her resolve would falter.
"Out," Minerva answered over her shoulder. The doors to the Great Hall slammed shut behind her and Helios, and Hermione nearly sobbed; her lover was gone again.