Isobel held an inconsolable Minerva as she patted her bottom and paced across the floor of their living room. "You know Tom has to go to Hogwarts love," she said soothingly. "You shall see him at Christmas."
Robert McGonagall watched as his little girl cried hysterically for her beloved Tom. His family had blossomed since the boy had came into their lifes and he wouldn't stand by and allow his precious child to suffer unnecessary. "What's the town near Hogwarts," he asked his wife.
"Hogsmeade," Isobel said distracted as she walked her crying child back and forth.
"You reckon you could get someone to let you finish your potions apprenticeship there," Robert asked nonchalantly.
He smiled as his wife's head snapped up to meet his. "What?" she questioned, unbelieving what she had thought she heard.
Robert walked to his wife and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I want you to finish your potions apprenticeship in Hogsmeade. Both of my girls are witches and I will not hinder either of you if possible. Finish your potions apprenticeship and be the best role model possible for our little girl. Start packing your wand again as well. I'm sorry it has taken me this long to accept your magic."
"Are you sure," Isobel asked, her voice thick with emotion. At his nod, she smiled radiantly and pulled him close. "Thank you Robert!"
Robert smiled at the happiness his wife showed in her blue eyes. What would have become of her if he hadn't accepted her magic? Would she have slowly lost herself? Robert silently reminded himself to thank Tom when he next saw the boy. Clearing his throat, he smiled lovingly at his wife and child then suggested, "Maybe we can arrange a dinner in Hogsmeade with Albus and Tom every now and then too."
"Tom," Minerva said as she looked at her father with watery emerald green eyes hopefully and hiccuped.
"We will ask Albus to bring him to meet you at Hogsmeade soon," Robert promised his daughter.
"Thank you Robert," Isobel said, a huge grin on her face. He didn't know if he had ever seen her so happy. Had I made her miserable with my irrational fear of her magic?
Tom stood in line with the rest of the first years and waited patiently for his name. He had spoken to a few on the train but just introduced himself as Tom. He would allow them to think he was a muggle as opposed to who he really was. "Thomas Dumbledore," his father called out.
Tom confidently walked up to the stool and sat down. His father settled the sorting hat on his head. He listened to the sorting hat talk and smiled in relief as it bellowed Slythrein! Tom would always be a Slythrein, only now he needed to find a way to gather support while ending the blood purity issue without bloodshed.
Minerva was enjoying a bowl of porridge or at least enjoyed playing in it when a tapping on the window distracted her. She watched as her mother stood up and retrieved a letter and package before returning to her seat. "It's from Tom," her mother teased. "Let's get you cleaned up and then we will see what Tom has to say."
Robert full-bellied laughed as his daughter had an accidental bout of magic and magically cleaned herself and the kitchen in general. "Well I guess Minnie wants to see what Tom has to say," he said with a smile.
Isobel chuckled and then paraphrased the letter. "Tom enjoyed the train ride, he was sorted into Slythrein and sent you a gift."
Isobel pushed the wrapped gift to Minerva and watched with a grin as her daughter opened the box. She pulled out a stuffed snake, "Nagini."
"Did Nagini exist in the future?" her mother asked curiously.
"Tom's fam..." Minerva struggled with the word. Minerva language skills were exceptional but Isobel noticed she struggled when emotional.
"Tom's familiar," her mother offered with a smile.
"Yes," Minerva answered. She hugged the toy snake to her chest and sighed happily when she realized it was charmed to smell like Tom. She laid the snake to the side and reached back into the box. She pulled out a high quality book of muggle fairy tales. She fingered the cover and smiled. Gently she opened the book to the first story and heard Tom's voice reading the page. Minerva's face lit up happily. "Tom reads," she informed her parents.
"That was a lovely suprise," Isobel said, amazed at the young boy's dedication to her babe. "Let's go put your book and toy snake in your room until nap time. I need to get you to Annabelle's home and head to my apprenticeship. I promise we will look at the book more when I get home."
Tom followed his father as he led the way to the Hogsmeade. It was Halloween morning and his father had managed to shift his duties aside so they could enjoy a late breakfast together. Albus had explained he had missed spending time with him. Albus needed to pick up some supplies for the Halloween feast later this evening anyways and thought he would treat his son. "Aberforth said he would have your favorite breakfast ready for you," Albus confided. "Hopefully it's edible this time."
Tom smiled as he thought back to his last experience at the Hog's Head. His fish had been rubbery and his chips soggy. His uncle had apologized for it and whipped up a lovely English breakfast. From that moment on he knew to only order breakfast foods while at the Hog's Head regardless of the time of day. "Uncle Abe is well-versed on breakfast foods," Tom shared a laugh with his dad. "It's his fish and chips I am weary of."
"With good reason," Albus muttered as he draped his arm over his son's shoulders. "I'm just glad Aberforth has finally forgiven me. Having Annabelle back in his life has mellowed him out."
Tom nodded his head in agreement. "Also, done wonders for the Hog's Head cleanliness."
Albus chuckled and pushed Tom in the door to the Hog's Head. A squeal of excitement sounded and caused Tom to snap his attention up towards the noise. Sitting on her father's lap was Minerva. A little green dress, black leather shoes, and a sweet little bow made up her outfit. His eyes were drawn to the happiness evident on her face. She reached her arms out to him in a "pick me up" gesture. He did just that.
"Hello my Min," he gushed as he wrapped her up in his arms and peppered her face with kisses. "I have missed you so."
She squirmed in his arms and giggled madly much to the adults amusement. "My Tom," she said contently as he sat down at the table and she settled against his chest.
"Thank you for this," Tom said as he looked around the table. "It has been tough spending so much time away from Minerva."
"That shan't be an issue any longer," Isobel informed him. "I have started a Potions apprenticeship at Dervish and Banges so the McGonagalls will be frequent visitors to Hogsmeade. Aberforth has been nice enough to reserve us a room so you will be able to see Minerva monthly at least but we are aiming for more frequent than that."
"Really," Tom said, tears welling up in his blue eyes.
"Really son," Albus promised as Aberforth started bringing dishes out. Albus was ever grateful for Lady Hogwarts granting him this chance to be a father. He hadn't realize what was lacking before Tom came in his life. He adored fatherhood and swore he would always be there for his son.