Albus and Tom arrived timely in Caithness, Scotland. Both were dressed in casual business muggle clothes. Albus was thankful for his son's guidance in his clothing choices. Albus himself had struggled somewhat and he knew he needed to make a good appearance if he hoped to have Isobel as Tom's new governess.
Isobel and her husband, Robert, greeted them and invited them to the table. A wonderous meal was enjoyed by the group and business was discussed. It was obvious Robert wasn't completely comfortable with the arrangement but his need to help others won out and he approved of Isobel taking a governess job. Albus figured the family needed money desperately especially since he learned Isobel's parents had disowned her once she married a muggle.
Albus let out a breath he hadnt realized he was holding once Robert excused himself and headed to the church to work on his sermon. Just as he was going to finalize the specifics of the governess job, a loud wail sounded and Isobel rushed to comfort her daughter. "Sorry about that gentlemen," Isobel said as she walked back in with her child clinging to her.
Tom looked up at the shouted, "Mine," and watched amazed as Minerva apparently apparated from the safety of her mother's arms and to Tom's arms.
"Minerva," Tom gasped as he looked into startling green eyes. Tears flooded his eyes and he took deep shuddering breaths.
The small child pulled herself up to stand against Tom's chest. Tiny hands grasped Tom's hair and sought out his gaze. A huge smile lit up her face as she repeated herself. "Mine," an angelic voice said happily as she pressed her lips to his.
Albus and Isobel watched dumbfounded as a golden mist surrounded the children. It swirled around them and as quickly as it appeared it disappeared. "What was that," Isobel asked frantically as she eyed the smiling children next to them.
Albus closed his gaping mouth and cleared his throat. "It's just a hunch; however, I believe that was the start of a soul bond. I, of course, haven't witnessed one before but a quick trip to Gringotts should provide answers."
Isobel nodded as she went to get ready quickly and grab Minerva's shoes. She doubted she was prying her babe from Tom at this moment. She looked so happy and content.
Albus was flabbergasted once again that night as the group was immediately ushered into a highly decorated room and introduced to the leader of the Goblins. He had never caught a glimpse of the leader and meetings rarely happened between said leader and wizards in general. "Greetings sir," Albus said politely as he eyed the goblin leader.
The Goblin leader sat back in his chair and stared at the children for a few minutes then waved his hand at a couple of his guards. Five boxes were brought in and laid on the table. Each box was gently opened and the guards walked away. Albus noticed each box had a wand, jewelry or masterpiece in it.
"A test for my curiosity Little Miss," the Goblin leader explained as he eyed Minerva in fascination.
Minerva wriggled out of Tom's arms and walked to the boxes. She asked for two boxes to be closed and removed from the room. Two boxes she asked to be put back in Hogwarts' history vault and the final one she looked at longingly. "Go ahead," the leader encouraged.
Minerva smiled at him and gripped the fir and dragon heartstring, nine and a half inches, stiff wand in her hand. Magnificent sparks of green and gold shot out of it and amazed all in the room. "My wand," she said in suprise.
"You do remember your past timeline," the Goblin said in triumph as he gazed at the small child. "Our seers knew of Tom's return to correct the timeline but we were suprised with the soul bond. We wondered if Minerva had returned as well to make sure Tom succeeded."
Minerva nodded and said something in Gobbledegook that caused every Goblin in the room to burst out laughing. Minerva winked at Tom who seemed to understand what she said. "What did she say," Isobel asked curiously.
"Something you would have washed her mouth out with soap for had it been in English," the leader of the goblin nation said. "However her knowledge of our language confirms she remembers her past life and what she needs to accomplish. My seers tell me of your fierce protection of one of ours from your past. You considered him a dear friend and protected him in battle at great risk to yourself. Would you do that again?"
"I would," the toddler proclaimed. "My brother."
The Goblin leader eyed her, suprised at her words, her convictions. "You considered a halfbred Goblin your brother?" Minerva nodded. "The seers told me you would. Did he ever tell you about his father?"
Again she nodded then offered. "I killed him," she admitted.
Suprise filtered across each Goblin's face at her words. "In your past life you killed the wizard that forced himself on my daughter?" She nodded again. "Why," he asked curiously.
"I can show you," she said as she moved in front of him and put her hand to his temple. She closed her eyes and focused her magic. Images swirled between them as she showed him images from her past. Meeting Filius, befriending him, fighting in battle with him, her knowledge of the truth and the struggles he and his mother faced from both races, and finally she showed him the moment she saw the wizard that fathered Filius attempting to rape a muggle woman and how she had struck him down with deadly force.
The Goblin leader smiled gratefully at the child. He looked to his assistant and said, "As of this moment, Minerva McGonagall is to be considered a Friend of the Goblin Nation. Her accounts shall be overseen by our best accountants." Minerva smiled at him and then hugged him tightly much to the shock of the room. "Little Miss you are a rarity!"
"Past life," Isobel asked confused while trying to get back on topic about the children coming back in time. She will think of her toddler earning Friend of thr Goblin Nation later.
"I messed up the past timeline," Tom said quietly. "I was lured in by the Dark Arts and the idea of immortality. I destroyed the wizarding world by my greed and didn't care about it. That is until I met my 17 year old daughter who was fiercely loyal to her mother, my Minerva, who I caused so much pain."
Minerva ran to Tom and demanded to be picked up. She placed her small hands on his face and peppered kisses along his face. "In the past," Minerva said tenderly.
"I shall never lose my focus and cause harm to my Minerva again," he said with conviction. "My last day in the past timeline, Minerva told me she could have loved me in another life. My Minerva is such an amazing soul and I will make sure to cherish her this go around."
Isobel watched her child in fascination. She could see the gestures of an older person and the incredible language skills. She had no problems believing Minerva had lived a life before. "Just so I understand, Minerva has already lived her life and somehow was transported back so she could keep young Tom on the straight and narrow," Isobel asked.
"Yes," the leader of the Goblin nation said. "However this time around Minerva also has goals. While young Tom is meant to change the Ministry, young Minerva is meant to transform Hogwarts into the finest Magical school in the world."
"She is," Albus asked surprised.
The goblin leader chuckled and nodded his head. "Minerva was your successor last time around. She will break every Transfiguration record previously held by you. Last time, she did it without knowing who she was; however, this time she knows who she is and will most likely obliterate those records."
"And who is she," Isobel asked confused. Being of the Ross line wasn't that incredible in her opinion.
"Daddy is a squib," Minerva said from her place in Tom's lap.
"He is," Isobel asked suprised.
"Minerva is from a long line of squibs," the leader of the goblins said. "She is actually the first child born with magic in her father's family line since Helena Ravenclaw. Her wand actually belonged to Rowena."
"She's the Ravenclaw heir," Albus asked suprised.
"Yes," the Goblin leader said. "Last time she wasn't aware of it until her daughter was in her last year of Hogwarts. Helena refused to speak to her until Minerva knew who she was."
"So they have already changed the timeline significantly," Albus asked fascinated by the story.
"They have," the Goblin answered. "Taking Tom out of his environment and bonding with Minerva has vastly improved things. Our seers now say Tom is no longer at risk to be lured by the Dark Arts. Now speaking of the bonding, it is in the best interest of them both to have frequent contact with each other. They are considered betrothed as of now. Once they complete their bond, they will be considered married."
"Not before you graduate Hogwarts Minerva McGonagall," Isobel growled while glaring at her child.
Wide-eyed the girl looked at her mother and nodded her head. "Yes Mum," she said obediently.
Chuckling, the Goblin leader reach a small box towards Tom. "These are goblin made betrothal rings. One of our seers designed these especially for you as a gift for young Minerva. He saw the importance of Minerva for future goblin children."
Tom opened the box and was amazed at the rings. Forged of pure silver, the rings were highly decorated with celtic designs. The bigger had a snake shape and had emeralds for the eyes. The smaller ring had a tiny lioness face with emerald eyes etched onto it. Tom gently took the smaller ring and gently placed it on Minerva's tiny finger. He watched as it shrunk down to fit her perfectly. Minerva then placed the other on Tom's hand. A bright light flashed as the rings connected with each other. Albus and Isobel just stared at the children in disbelief!