The floo flared before Minerva could throw her powder and three people stepped out. Minerva stared in shocked for a moment.
The Albus look-a-like tipped his pointed hat. "Good day, Professor."
"Oh, Aberforth! Are you coming to see Albus?" She looked in confusion at the two who accompanied him. A young woman in her twenties looked vaguely familiar. The little girl had dark blueish skin and Dumbledore blue eyes. Pointed ears. "A-Are you here to see Albus?"
"Ah, no, Professor. There is no point, is there? I just agitate him. The staff can contact me, but I intend to have him moved to Sunnyside Manor Convalescent Home, when he is healthier, of course."
"You don't think he'll come back to Hogwarts?" Minerva asked voice going shrill. Aberforth looked around.
"Professor, this is my daughter Imogene Dumbledore-Black and my granddaughter, Stormy. We are here for a checkup for Stormy. Imogene, Stormy, why don't you meet me in the Tearoom when you are finished? Then we will go to the play date."
"That would be fine," Imogene smiled. Minerva remembered her, a fourth year who left school for tutoring.
"Professor, why don't you accompany me to the tearoom, where we can discuss Albus in private."
Dumbledore-Black. Minerva followed Aberforth in a daze. Aberforth ordered tea and cakes.
"Dumbledore-Black?" She asked.
"You know that Dumbledore turned over the headship of the family to me, in the seventies?"
"I know he did, but not when and why," Minerva said after a pause.
"I planned to marry Susette Linnette. We hoped to have a large family, so Albus thought it appropriate. She was slaughtered by Death Eaters. Well, they were called the Walpurgis Knights back then. I closed my enchanting business and opened the Hog's Head."
"I'm so sorry. I was a few years ahead of Susette in school."
He nodded.
"So, I lived quietly. Albus and I were not close. Then, this summer, Albus did a reckless, dangerous act against Lord Black. Not a feeble, deathbed Lord Black, as Albus thought, but a restored, strong, and vigorous Lord Black. A Lord Black who had already made huge strides for restoring the Family Black."
He skewered Minerva with a sharp blue gaze. "Would you like to be in a Blood Feud with the Blacks?"
"No, I wouldn't." She shuddered at the thought.
"So I did the only smart thing and went to Lord Black. Arcturus showed me Harry Potter's memory of Dumbledore's attack. Dumbledore used a dark spell to siphon magic from the helpers he hired, to break through wards. He could have killed them. The children, small ones, younger than my Stormy, fought him off. Lord Black caught him with family magic as he got away."
"Lord Black was generous and didn't kill me on the spot. Harry is his heir," Aberforth shook his silvery head. "His aunt, cousin and Harry have been living with Lord Black for weeks, voluntarily. Harry's cousin is also a wizard, but his magic was bound until Black had a healer work with him. Petunia had been potioned for years by Dumbledore via her worthless muggle husband."
Aberforth paused and ate a tiny cake. "He offered me a family fealty oath. It was the obvious solution, since Albus was clearly in the wrong. For that, I needed an heir or marriage to get one. I decided to adopt Imogene, who works for me. Due to trauma in her youth, Imogene prefers a quiet, solitary life, so with her permission, I blood adopted both of them and made Stormy my heir. Dumbledores do not require a male heir."
"Stormy is mixed blood?"
"Yes, the result of a revel where Imogene and a young goblin were forced to mate. He was slaughtered, she was left for dead, but survived. Originally the goblin clan refused to deal with her, but since the adoption, the clan has been forced to give to their kinswoman. Stormy is the wealthiest Dumbledore who ever lived." Aberforth grinned.
"You did not petition Hogwarts for a place for Stormy?"
"No, she will be attending Black Towers. I will be teaching Enchanting and plan to take an apprentice. Imogene and I are moving to a small farm on the Black Estates near the Black Bay Village."
"I have a meeting with Lord Black later today."
Imogene and Stormy entered the Tearoom. "Ahh, here are my ladies."
Minerva realized they were both very well dressed in semi-formal robes for Imogene and a pretty frock for Stormy. Stormy carried a small stuffed bear with a St Mungo's robe.
"Inoculations are working as they are supposed to," Imogene said with a smile.
"We are heading to Lord Black's right now for a school Meet and Greet. The school children have a play day to get to know each other. Why don't you accompany us?"
To her surprise they were met by Narcissa Malfoy, pushing a pram with two babies.
"The Dumbledore family! Lovely. Hello, Professor McGonagall."
"I'm sorry to be so early, Mrs. Malfoy. My condolences on your loss."
"Thank you," Mrs. Malfoy said regally. "I have reverted to my maiden name, so am now Madame Black, Regent of House Malfoy. Come."
They followed her down the hallway. "The weather outside is frightful, so we have the school children in the ballroom while parents are meeting with Lord Black about the upcoming school year. Professor, I could take you to a private parlor, or maybe you'd like to see the children? I am on child duty right now."
"No, I find children's voices reassuring."
"Lovely. There are refreshments and seating near the windows. I'll be right back." Narcissa ushered Aberforth and Imogene down the hall. Two little girls came up to Stormy. Minerva recognized little Ginny Weasley, who took Stormy by the hand. The tiny blond might be the Lovegood Heir. The three girls scampered off. Minerva fixed a cup of tea and sat down on an overstuffed chair.
She saw the Weasley children right away. The twins were playing exploding snap, Percy was talking with Penelope Clearwater and Marcus Flint. The youngest boy was with a horde of small boys with some type of building toys and trains.
She looked for Harry, expecting glasses and wild hair. Finally she saw a small boy with pitch black hair in the old Black Style, with two braids dangling with silver ornaments. He was easel painting next to a large, sturdy girl, a Bulstrode, if she wasn't mistaken. Ginny, her blond friend and Stormy, who was as small as the Lovegood girl, walked up to the easels. The black haired boy turned to the girls with a smile. Lily's smile.
Harry and the Bulstrode girl set up another easel with paints, found Stormy an apron, and Stormy began painting, all three chatting.
The ballroom was enormous and had upwards of fifty children. House elves and a few adults were present. Narcissa returned with the pram and made her way to the sitting area. A tall woman, elegantly dressed, with golden blond waves, joined them, accompanied by a blond toddler in pink ruffles.
"Here Cami, a biscuit."
"Minerva, have you met Petunia Dursley? Petunia, this is Professor Minerva McGonagall, from Hogwarts."
Minerva stared at the woman in confusion. She remembered a skeletal, pasty girl with a whiny voice, not a golden, elegant woman with a lace wand holder on her arm.
"You are magical?"
"Why, yes. My magic was naturally bound following a terrible illness I had as a child. Dudley and I both had our magic unbound this summer."
The toddler yelled, "Num num," holding up a gooey biscuit.
"Yes, darling. Would you like a sip of milk?" Petunia pulled a silver sipper cup from her robe. It had the Black crest engraved on it. "Such a lovely cup, enchanted to never spill," Petunia smiled. Lily's smile.
Minerva looked at the small babies in the pram. "You are watching a relatives babies, Madame Black?"
"Oh, no. They are mine. Adahra and Antares Black. Oh, look! The Flitwick children!" Narcissa stood and pushed the pram toward the door where a group of small children congregated.
"So, you have been here for a while?" Minerva asked.
"Yes. Shortly after Vernon passed I took Harry to Gringotts, where we were introduced to Lord Black. I did not know that Harry was his heir. We came for a visit and found out many things Dumbledore had done to my family. I was potioned for a decade. Even now, two months later, I still have to take restoration potions. As does Harry."
"Aunt Petunia, look," Harry, the Bulstrode girl and the small Dumbledore girl were right in front of them, holding their paintings. "Very nice, Harry, Milly."
"This is Heiress Stormy Dumbledore Black. She's going to go to school with us."
"Lovely to meet you,Stormy. Children, please say hello to Professor Minerva McGonagall. She will be staying for dinner."
The children greeted her and then asked if they could put the pictures up in the schoolroom.
"Of, course. Ervi?" A small house elf popped to Petunia. "Please help the children put their pictures up in the schoolroom. Children, you need to return right away, though. You have new guests, and soon we will be touring the new classrooms."
The children ran off.
Minerva couldn't help the tears that threatened. "He looks more like Lily than I thought he would."
"Yes. He no longer needs glasses and his face has filled out."
"His smile and eyes are all Lily."
"That's true. Have you looked at Cami? I blood adopted her. Look at the eyes."
Cami had Lily's bright green eyes.
When the guests went on the school tour, Minerva was escorted to Lord Black's study.
Harry's pensieve memory showed a manic-eyed Dumbledore trying to snatch a terrified child. Harry and Milly throwing daggers, of all things.
Then she saw Lord Black's memory. The unconscious wizards and witches left behind as Dumbledore portkeyed away.
"It was a siphoning spell to increase his magic to break the ward. Quite dark. The two elderly would have died if not for Andi and Narcissa making the correct potions. Remus Lupin and the two werewolf teens would have been executed if I had called the aurors."
How could he? Why did she still feel she should excuse him?
"What h-happened to those witches and wizards?
"They were guests in my dungeon for a time. They received medical treatment and eventually were invited to take vassal oaths. They now live in Black Bay Village. No longer hiding in Knockturn Alley."
"Remus?"
"I hired him to be the village magistrate. Also the sheriff. He adopted the teen werewolves, who will attend school here. Arthur Black-Weasley is the mayor. Both will occasionally work with the students."
"I see. But they were so loyal to Dumbledore."
"Perhaps you should see my healer. We found loyalty potions, compulsions. Much worse in Petunia's case."
"Perhaps I should make an appointment."
"No need. Andi isn't involved in the school tour. Come with me, and we'll get you checked over."
She felt like she should fight this. Dumbledore wouldn't like her being checked by a member of a Dark Family. But Lord Black was so...reassuring. And Andi had a stellar reputation.
"Well, Minerva," Andi Tonks said an hour later. "We have some problems here. I already released a compulsion curse. Stronger than a charm. Not far from being an Imperious. You'll need to take these memory restoration potions, loyalty flushing potions, swift obedience flushing potion."
Andi placed her hand on Minerva's shoulder and looked her in the eye. "You've been on some of these potions for more than two decades. It would be best if you spent the night here, where I can keep an eye on you. Also, they might mask something else, so I should run another diagnostic spell on you in twelve hours."
"I'm so confused."
"Of course you are. Zippy, would you change Minerva into these pajamas and robe? Minerva, you won't feel like eating dinner tonight, but I can promise you a delicious breakfast."
"The school!" Andi handed her a vial. Minerva drank it.
"I can reach Flitwick. Tomorrow, when you feel better, you can visit the Weasleys and Remus."
Minerva snuggled into a soft bed with a fluffy coverlet. She was so tired!
"Flitwick, Poppy. They might have potions, too."
"I'll mention that to Flitwick."
Right before dinner Narcissa was in her lounge reading a book. The babies were asleep, Draco was with Petunia's boys. Ervi was getting them dressed for dinner.
There was knock on her door, her security charm showed Arcturus. He was not in formal robes. "Change of plans. I have the children eating in their schoolroom. I thought you might like a simple meal with Petunia and I in her lounge. Minerva and half the Hogwart's staff are in our infirmary, so Andi might like a hand later."
"Oh! Very good. I'm actually not hungry at all. I'll join Andi and order sandwiches if we want something."
"Wonderful. I'm going to floo Madame Bones. I think she might want to see the happenings in the infirmary."
Arcturus joined Petunia in her lounge and called for Wispi. "Change of plans, Petunia. Only you and I tonight. Dinner for two, Wispi. And bring the good wine."
Minerva awoke in a strange white room alight with morning sunshine. Not the Hogwart's infirmary. Others slept in the room. Poppy, Pomona, Sinistra, Vector, Burbage, Trelawney.
Andromeda Black came out of her office. "Tea, Minerva?"
"Yes, please. Where is Flitwick?"
"I sent him on to Gringotts, to the Black Account manager, with a message. I thought it wise to have him treated by goblin healers."
Minerva fixed her tea and took a sip. "So. All of us?"
"Yes. Madame Bones was here last night and will be here later. We will send healers to Hogwarts to see Snape and Hagrid."
"Snape probably made the potions."
"Indeed," Andromeda said.
