30th August 1959
Minerva weaved her way through the many people gathered inside the Scottish Manse. Finally arriving at her destination she found Elphinstone who smiled cheerily at her.
"Thank you for coming," she said, standing next to him, hands clasped behind her back and a small smile playing on her lips as both Robert and his bride danced their first dance as a married couple.
"Thank you for inviting me," answered Elphinstone. Then, he turned to face her, extending his arm as he did so, "Would you care to dance?" he asked. Minerva accepted his hand and together they waltzed onto the dance floor, already filled with many other guests.
After having danced through a few songs, Elphinstone opened his mouth to speak, "I know I've asked you before, Minerva, and I hope you will reconsider my proposition," he started, looking as hopeful as he had a year ago when he had asked her to marry him for the first time.
Minerva looked up at him and for a few moments tried to imagine her life with him. She imagined growing old with him, buying a house and having children, all of the things which could have been available to her with Dougal. But as she looked back into his soft brown eyes something sparked in her. It was a spark of sadness as well as betrayal because part of Minerva still loved the farmer she had left behind all those years ago in the summer of 1954.
Judging by the disappointment shown on her dance partner's face, Minerva guessed that Elphinstone already knew the answer to his question. "I'm sorry Elphinstone," she whispered and slowly she detached herself from him and walked back to where they had been previously standing, at a distant drinks table.
'Full of muggles this place, huh?"
Minerva moved her head to see who had spoken. When she had she pursed her lips and gripped the cup of punch she had just poured a little more tightly than before.
"Mr Winickus," greeted Minerva, rather coldly.
"Rufus, please," said Winickus, extending his hand for Minerva to shake. His cheeriness seemed untouched by Minerva's clear un-enthusiasm. "Nice of your brother to invite me," he continued, a broad grin on his face.
"Hm, very."
"I'll always remember as you being the first Professor to give me my first T. I didn't even think it possible," chuckled Rufus whom Minerva remembered having thoroughly disliked, this having, of course, no part as to why he had gotten a T from her in his essay.
"Well, it never happened again," answered Minerva coolly, unable to think of anything else to say to the arrogant and unlikeable person she had once taught.
"No, and I'm very glad for it," he chuckled again, "I wonder why Robert even bothered to invite this lot," he added, gesturing at the non-magic folk dancing in the Scottish Manse's entrance hall.
"They are very good friends of my Father's and Robert as it so happens," snapped Minerva, her knuckles now white as she clenched the plastic cup now threatening to get crushed between her fingers.
"Oh yes, I forgot your father is a muggle," said Rufus, chuckling humorously, "And your Mother gave up her powers didn't she? So that she could live as a muggle wasn't it?" he continued more forcefully, "How embarrassing."
Setting down the cup so hard the contents sloshed out and stained the white tablecloth, Minerva, clenching her teeth so hard it was a miracle she could still speak, turned to face Rufus who was smiling coldly, "What are you doing here?"
"Your brother invited my wife, pureblood as a matter of fact. Much better compared to the filth you interact with," he sneered, pointing at a young woman who was currently making her way towards where Minerva and Rufus were standing.
"I would like you to leave, now," snarled Minerva, using all of her inner strength to stop herself from unsheathing her wand and cursing the boy, still sneering at her.
"Tut-tut. Rude as well traitorous, you may as well be a mudblood," he drawled, "Come on Marianna, we're leaving," and, taking a girl's hand whom Minerva could only presume was Rufus's wife, Rufus pulled the young girl's arm and started to make a way towards the exit, however, not before Minerva was able to grab his arm.
"I suggest you be careful how you throw around that word, I might accidentally let the information of our little encounter slip to the Head of the Auror Department. With the recent attacks against muggles and muggle-borns you could end up in some serious trouble, and don't worry, I'll make sure that happens if ever I get another whiff of you uttering that horrible word," threatened Minerva, jerking her head in the direction of Elphinstone who was standing only a little while away, "Leave at once or I will make sure you get arrested tonight," Minerva let go of his arm, giving him one of her deadliest stares before turning back around and making her way through the house and into the garden.
As she walked down the slippery, cobbled path, Minerva tried to forget what had happened. Knowing full well that her threat would never be carried through as nobody could be arrested for using the word mudblood, her words still seemed to have had an effect on Winickus despite their insignificance. Perhaps if she did ask Elphinstone nicely he would be able to arrest the man, however, given the current situation between the two of them and because she didn't really want to create a fuss, Minerva carried on walking down the path.
Breathing in deeply she walked to the back wall and sat down on it, wrapping her arms around herself to warm herself from the cold breeze. The thought of Elphinstone's face when she had again put down his proposal continued to burn in her mind and Winickus's words were still troubling her. She had noticed that muggle hatred as well a muggleborn dislike had started to get more serious over the years, however, to hear such an offensive word used in her house against her father, her mother and their friends was more than insulting. Fuming she smoothed down her skirt and patted down her hair in an attempt to do something with her hands.
"Tired?"
Minerva jumped and turned around to see her father walking up towards her. "I just needed some air," she replied smiling a little as he settled down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"It has been nice having you here for the past few weeks," he said as Minerva leant her head against his shoulder, "You need to come and visit more often," he added.
"I'll try," chuckled Minerva, looking up at the inky canopy of the night sky freckled with little glowing white orbs. Sighing happily, she embraced the cool breeze, which left the leaves on the trees rustle in a satisfying sort of way.
"When are you leaving?" asked Robert.
"Tomorrow," answered Minerva quietly, "School starts in two days and I need to get some things ready."
"I am so proud of you Minerva, you do know that don't you? I am so proud of you, Malcolm and Robert. So proud…" he trailed off and squeezing her shoulder, kissed the top of her head and giving her another small hug.
His words hit her hard and Minerva could feel tears well up in her eyes. Perhaps it was due to the recent events or to the sudden strong reminder of her experience with Dougal but the mere fact that she had her father's support no matter what, even if he didn't understand exactly what was happening in the Wizarding World now warmed Minerva. She was happy to know that he was always going to be there for her. Always.
