I'm unsure if the McGonagall family had been named but for this fic both her brothers are older than her and I made up their names.

Obviously this is Fanfiction so characters are OOC

Don't like don't read, don't leave shitty reviews if you hated it as I don't care for idiotic unhelpful comments.

Femslash

Minerva McGonagall was many things but a coward wasn't one of them, or so she thought. She knew what people would say, Albus and Severus to be precise would be disappointed in seeing her trying to bury her troubles in a bottle or several if she was counting in the bottom of expensive firewhiskey.

Firewhiskey that was a favourite of Bellatrix's and she too would be angry at her self destructive behaviour but at that moment she didn't care nor did the pudgy middle aged wizard who stood behind the bar chatting happily to a couple of locals. She couldn't for the life of her remember the man's name. A new face from the last 12 years since she came into this lively place.

Everything changes and nothing does it seems. No one remembers her nor she them. Even though the island was mostly populated by it's Scottish locals.

"I bet ye that this bloody weather hotter than the devil's asshole." Some uncouth man slurred to his partner. The woman raised her brow, sneering at her drunk companion. "What you think Keith? We in for the long haul yeah."

Keith, she thinks nods absentmindedly to the man as he turned his attention to the doorway. A slight cool breeze wafts from the now open door caressing the back of Minerva's bare neck.

Her muddled thoughts went to the stone cottage that sat nestled in weeds and overgrown lawns in the middle of the private island. The same island that she sat perched drunkenly in the cosy family run pub.

The house she brought with her wife had laid empty, forgotten in the past 10 years. She could still picture the green and gold painted nursery that had been decorated for their daughter who never had the chance to use it. The beloved McGonagall cot passed down through generations laid under years of dust and grime, toys brought brand new left to rot. All because Minerva couldn't step foot inside the building that once held many happy and sometimes sad memories. Maybe she was a coward.

But it was also the final place Bella was seen. Her apparent death had occurred in their home and it had happened before her very eye, hers and Narcissa's.

No body. No death. No body. No death. Minerva had kept up that very chant throughout the years to keep herself from falling apart completely and she would of done if not for the fact she had a 6 month old daughter, a daughter that she unfairly blamed. Blamed for the fact if not for her Minerva could of joined her beloved in the afterlife. So the next best thing was washing her hands of the young lass permanently and refusing to listen to anyone that claimed Bella was gone for good.

"Well, well if it isn't our favourite lass." The feminine voice boomed out from behind her, startling Minerva out of her dark thoughts.

"Don't remember me lass ya? It has been a long time since you been home."

Minerva grimaced, "good to be seeing you again Mags." The dirty blonde haired woman dressed in green overalls, no doubt just came from the family's farm. Her dark eyes roaming over her dishevelled form. No judgement in her orbs just sympathy, all knowing sympathy.

"Ah so the infamous Minerva McGonagall Black remembers her sister in law." Maggie McGonagall sat without permission next to the tipsy witch, a sad smile gracing her face.

"He sent you didn't he?" she didn't need to say who, not from the knowing smile anyway.

"Dumbledore was worried and by the looks of it he was right to be. You know me Min I don't judge but this isn't healthy and I have come to bring ya home." Maggie held up a hand, her lips pressed tightly. "Ah lass your brothers and Mama wants to see ya and Trev misses his baby sister, that's his right ya know."

Slapping down a pouch of gold, "ah Keith your payment my dear man. Don't go letting old Finn Rob ya blind next time." She laughed playfully punching the man.

And without further delay Minerva was dragged gently from the pub and into the McGonagall branded land rover. The scenery of green fields blurring passed her window.

"Trevor wanted to check in on ya cottage over the years but Albus firmly held his ground. And rightly so, though it does need a lot of love and care lass." The older witch spoke softly, watching the road ahead.

Minerva nodded.

"If you're not up to it Min then Trev and I can fix the place up back to its former glory. You don't need to give me an answer yet but do think on it." And that was all that was said until the old farm came looming in her view.

McGonagall farm was a well loved dairy farm that we passed to her oldest brother Trevor and his wife Margaret upon their wedding day. While both happened to be magical neither had practiced their gifts in a long time instead keeping their lives simple by taking over the farm.

Cows munching on the finely cut grass. Horses trotting around their fields without a care in the world. Pigs and sheep and chickens seem to be walking around without restraint it seems. Much like her idiot brother.

"Hello baby sister." A tall dark haired man jumped excitedly from the back of the large grey horse upon sighting both women as they stepped out the Rover.

Minerva stiffly allowed the hug from her middle brother Jared, the man has been her idol while growing up. He was a top competing Duellist who had a very close friendship with Flitwick due to their love of all things duelling.

"Miss ya kid."

Minerva rolled her eyes, "Quit it with the kid nonsense I'm not that much younger that you."

"A good 15 years I am and until ya pass my age sister ya shall remind a kid." He smirked at her growl. The enjoyment he got from winding her up since their childhood years had only increased since.

The porch had since been repaired and expanded. The famous rocky chair from her early years sat in the shade with her mother sat perched with knitting needles clasped loosely in her hands. She maybe approaching 100 in age but her mother could still kick anyone's behind if they dared show her anything but respect.

"Mama."

"So you decided to grace us with your presence at long last." The tall grey haired witch commented, her needles clicking together as she stitched without sparing her youngest with a look.

"Be fair mama our Tabby was always independent unlike Jared and I. Hello sister." Her oldest brother stepped out of the front door, his goofy smile in place. His warm eyes reflecting his happiness at seeing her. Guilt was worming its way into her gut.

"I shall be fair when my daughter tells me why I am only seeing her after 10 years of owl silence in such a wasteful state." The woman finally rises her green eyes upon her daughter. "I expected better from you Minerva."

Before she could even try to reply or at least react, her brave brother Trevor stepped in between them, his hand gripping Minerva's shoulder.

"Mama, please. Remember what we spoke about, it's hard for Minnie to come home especially after what happened to Bella. You remember Bella, Mama?" he knelt before her.

"What do ya take me for lad? Hmmm. Of course I'm aware of what went down. I was there when it happened." Mama McGonagall's eyes suddenly softened as she looked up at Minerva. "I am so sorry lass, of course ya wouldn't want to come back after that." She shook her head. "I had hoped, truly hoped that Bella would find her way back to us again."

Minerva embraced her mother, her tears slipped forbidden down her cheeks as she wept in her mother's arms. It felt like coming home again.