"Min," Malcolm and Robbie yelled excitedly as she and Tom arrived just in time for breakfast.
"Hey boys," she greeted as she ruffled their hair and kissed her mother and daddy on the cheek in greeting. "Did you miss me?" she teased the boys.
"Only because we didn't have enough players for a quidditch match," Malcolm answered with a grin.
"Just admit it," she replied. "You love me and can't stand for me to be gone long."
"Just a little bit," Robbie answered honestly. "I wouldn't admit it in front of others."
Minerva laughed amused and pressed a kiss to Robbie's forehead. "That's why you're my favorite," she stage whispered to him before handing him a small package from her pocket.
"Hey," Malcolm said indignantly. "You love both of us the same."
"I might," she laughed as she pulled a matching box and laid it in front of her oldest brother.
"Thanks Min," they both shouted joyfully and scooted their chairs around so that Minerva and Tom could join them for breakfast.
"You're welcome," she said happily.
"Fill your plates before you open those," their mother demanded. Robert chuckled at his wife's need to feed their family.
Grudgingly they boys did as they were told. Minerva looked at her mother in time to see a smile filter across her face. Minerva and Tom filled their plates. She would never turn down an invitation to breakfast from her mother. The Scottish witch was gifted when it came to cooking and breakfast just so happen to be Minerva's favorite meal.
"Alright," Isobel said. "Go ahead and see what your sister brought you back from her travels."
The boys opened their boxes and shouted with joy. A signed picture of the Montrose Magpies quidditch team was nestled in the box. "Thank you," the boys gushed as they rushed and hugged their sister tightly.
"These are the new ones," Isobel said with a frown marring her face as she saw what the boys had. "How did you get them?"
Minerva shared a smile with Tom before answering, "We happened upon a woman splinched in France and helped her recover. Apparently there was an abduction attempt on her son and she tried to get him to safety. She was in pretty bad condition by the time we happened upon her. Her young son was with her so we made sure he was feed and helped them back to their hotel room. Turns out it was the coach's wife and child. Her husband offered to pay us but we refused. No sense in taking money for just being neighborly. He begged us to let him show his gratitude, he was rather grateful we helped his family. The poor man was devastated by their almost abduction and wanted to feel useful. I asked for his autograph for my brothers and told him we were huge fans. He made a fire call and presented those to me soon after."
"So moral of the story," Tom added with a grin. "Always help those in need. You never know when fate will smile down on you."
"Yes sir," the boys nodded in acceptance and finished up their breakfast.
Tom and Minerva arrived at the Hog's Head just in time for dinner. Albus and Aberforth were waiting for them. Hugs and handshakes were given before Aberforth ushered them into seats and dashed into the kitchen. He came back with fish and chips for everyone. Tom looked wearily to his dad who snorted in amusement. They both remembered the last time Aberforth had served Tom fish and chips. "It's fine son I promise," Albus reassured. "Annabelle insisted on hiring a cook to help Aberforth during lunch and dinner. She wants to spend more time with him."
"Thank the gods," Tom remarked with a smirk.
"My cooking ain't that bad," Aberforth protested.
"Your breakfast is wonderful," Minerva offered with a smile.
"It's the rest that is questionable," Tom muttered to his dad which caused the older wizard to laugh in delight at his light bantering.
"How was the Veela colony," Albus asked interested in their journey.
"Wonderful," Minerva breathed. "We saw traditions and rituals I have never heard of. I didn't realize how ritualistic Veelas are."
"Really," he asked as his eyebrows rose up towards his hairline.
"Yes," Tom answered. "Since Minerva is the protector of the Morgan le Fay bracelet, we have been given family status. We are free to come and go into the colony. We are just unable to bring anyone other than our descendants."
"I didn't know Veela offered such standings," Aberforth offered.
"There is no mention of it in their history but the bracelet was their most sacred possession so it makes sense they would accept me as one of their own," Minerva retorted with a smile.
"First the goblins and now Veelas," Albus said thoughtfully. "You have befriended races that others shun. It is breathtaking my dear!"
"How's business been," Tom asked his uncle, changing the topic. He saw the blush on Minerva's face and wanted to save her from responding to the praise. She still struggled with it from time to time.
"Very profitable now that Annabelle is managing the place," Aberforth commented proudly. "She mentioned wanting to bring you or Minerva in on the business end soon."
"Why would she want that," Tom asked confused.
"Annabelle has no children," Aberforth explained. "I have a trust setup for her but you are listed as my heir. You and Minerva will inherit the bar when I die. I'm sure Annabelle will continue to manage it as long as she can but ownership of it will fall to you."
Tom looked at Aberforth in complete shock. Being his uncle's heir had never crossed his mind, he was just happy to have family that adored him this time around. "Having you as family is all I need," Tom replied sincerely. "I don't need material things."
Albus smiled proudly at his son. All his efforts as a father were apparently worth it. He had molded Tom into a good man, a thoughtful man and he was immensely proud of him. Albus was grateful to Fate for bringing Tom in his life as a son. Tom was a balm to Albus' weary soul. All of his past mistakes that he worked so hard to overcome had became easily to manage when Tom came into his life. When Albus had defeated Grindelwald, he had only thought of protecting his son's future. He had thought fighting his once love interest would overwhelm him emotionally but it hadn't. Albus' love for his son came before all else. It seemed he had needed a son just as much as Tom had needed a father. "And for that reason," Albus injected, "Is why you shall inherit everything from the Dumbledore line. I am proud of you son!"
Tom discreetly wiped a tear from his eye and nodded his thanks. Minerva reach for his hand under the table and held it throughout the remainder of the meal.