Minerva stood outside the gates of Hogwarts and sighed happily. She had remained at the Ministry for 5 years, 3 longer than the last timeline, but so much had changed and she was afraid the momentum would slow if she left. Minerva's Law had been the start of many changes within the Ministry of Magic. More and more witches were working throughout the Ministry and some were department heads now. The Ethics Committee had slowed the bigotry running rampant and some of the bigotry laws were being abolished.
Tom had been promoted to head the International Affairs Office and Minerva felt it was time for her to start her Hogwarts career. She knew Tom would work towards their goals efficiently and felt free to focus her attention on Hogwarts. Granted things were starting out differently than they had previously in her other timeline. The Transfiguration position was currently filled by a competent teacher and the only open position had been the Potions post. Albus was focused on his Deputy Headmaster and shoring up finances for the school. The current Headmaster didn't see a reason to so Albus dedicated himself to doing it. She had reluctantly agreed to the position once Albus offered her Gryffindor Head of House. She had loved that part of her duties last time.
Isobel had been quite proud when she was told of Minerva's new job. The older witch was delighted by fact she had instilled her daughter's new love of Potions. They all knew Minerva would always prefer Transfiguration over Potions but the majority of the family agreed this experience would help Minerva once she moved up. There was no doubt she would one day run Hogwarts.
"Hello Min," Hagrid greeted her with a hug.
"Hagrid," she said pleasantly suprised. "What are you doing here? I thought you were traveling and working with various creature reserves."
Hagrid offered his arm and escorted his long-time friend towards the castle doors. "I still help out the reserves if they need me but I missed home. I took the Care of Magical Creatures position."
"And your research," Minerva asked.
"Oh I still plan on continuing that," he reassured. "I will probably have more time for it now since I don't have to worry about finances. It was hard finding odd jobs abroad sometimes with being a halfbreed and such but now I don't have to worry about that. Tom pushing through the Fair Treatment Act helped me get this job. It is wonderful to know that other half giants and others like us can't be denied employment in Britain simply for our creature side now."
"Oh Hagrid," Minerva said sadly. "I had no idea. We would of helped you financially."
"We both know we are prideful souls," he reminded her. "I am happy making my own way. That's probably why I get along with Tom and you so good. Tom knew about my struggles I am sure, that's why the silver tongue devil got the pureblood bigoted bastards to approve some of those new laws and get rid of some of the old ones."
"I have no doubt you were at the forefront of his thoughts when he pushed through those reforms. He loves you like a brother. I'm glad you are here with me Hagrid," Minerva said just as they reached the castle. Silently she vowed to find a way to help Hagrid make money and put back for a rainy day. She hated the idea of him struggling in life. He was a completely different wizard this timeline. He was the same old lovable Hagrid but his actions were more thought out and his manners were much better. She figured Tom had helped with that too.
Minerva stepped into the Great Hall and saw all of the staff present. "Minerva," Albus greeted with a quick hug and kiss to the forehead. The wizard had greeted her like that since she started the soul bond with Tom. It was his way to ensure she knew he considered her family. It embarrassed her at times and she believed the old coot took pleasure in that fact. "Welcome back to Hogwarts!"
"Thank you Albus," she greeted with a radiant smile. "It is wonderful to be back home."
"I would have thought you would consider your home to be with your husband," Headmaster Dippet said spiteful.
"Dippet," she greeted calmly. "I would say I missed your sunny disposition but that would be a lie. Try not to speak of that which you have no knowledge."
"Why you little.."
"I would watch it Armando," Albus tried to interject.
"Just because she is your daughter-in-law doesn't mean she should forget her place," the man uttered viciously.
"My place," Minerva questioned, fire blazed in her eyes and her magic sparked wildly about her.
"Your place, like any married witch within childbearing age, should be at home taking care of your husband and birthing him heirs," he said like a pureblooded bigot.
Gasps errupted throughout the room. All of the staff looked at the man they knew and trusted in a completely different light. "That was out of line," Albus said hotly as he looked at the man in disgust. "I never thought I would see a day when I was so grossly disgusted by your words. You are an educated wizard who should be encouraging others to reach out and stretch their abilities regardless of their age or gender not discouraging them otherwise. Why are you so against Minerva? You have been against her the moment she first step through the castle doors at the tender age of 11."
Dippet denied it, "I haven't. It's her actions and her need to show off her skills."
"Show off," Albus repeated in disbelief. "You mean to tell me that you are jealous of her abilities."
"I'm not," he argued weakly.
"Minerva has broken every single academic record I previously held," Albus said. "If anyone has the right to be jealous it would be me. Instead I take pride the next generation is evolving and learning quicker. I take pride that the students are thinking differently and from all sides of the problems. It gives me hope for the future."
"Armando Dippet," the voice of Helena Ravenclaw boomed as she floated into the room. "You have been warned before to leave Minerva alone. I threatened to forcefully eject you from the castle if you continued."
"You can't do that," the older wizard argued.
"I can and I will," the angry ghost said. "I, heir of Ravenclaw, ask Lady Hogwarts to remove Headmaster Armando Dippet from his position and the castle for his continued harassment of my line."
"Your line," the wizard questioned stunned by thr revelation.
"Yes," the ghost answered. "Minerva McGonagall is the first of my line to be born with magic since me. If you would have noticed, she has some of the same mannerisms as me. Look closely at her wand, it belonged to my mother and my granddaughter wills it easily. The magic she is capable of is wonderous and I will not have you stand in her way. She is destined to bring this school back into its former glory. Lady Hogwarts I await your judgement."
"Heir Ravenclaw," a feminine voice spoke loudly. "Your request has been granted. Armando Dippet you are no longer deemed fit to oversee this school."
A blue light swirled around Armando Dippet and stripped him of the wands and the sacred knowledge each Headmaster of the school is granted. "Congratulations on your promotion Albus Dumbledore," Lady Hogwarts said politely as she slammed the wards and knowledge into the unprepared wizard. He was lifted off the ground, glowed blue for a minute or so and set him back upon the ground.
"Minerva," Helena Ravenclaw said.
"Yes Grandmother," she answered politely. "This school is your birth right. I know you want to make your own way but I must intervene this time. You are required to take the now vacant Deputy Headmistress position and to continue to speak your mind."
"Yes Grandmother," Minerva said in resignation. "I shall do you proud."
"You already do," she whispered sweetly as she caressed the witch's cheek and floated out of the room.
Hagrid started roaring in laughter as he looked at his friend. "Can't you start any job without causing a ruckus," he teased his friend. "I can't wait to show Tom this memory!"
"It's not funny Hagrid," she whined and smacked the half giant's arm. He merely laughed harder.
"Minerva had to duel a senior Auror on her second day at the Ministry because he felt she should be at home birthing her husband babies," Albus explained to the rest of the staff who had blank looks on their faces. "She wiped the floor with him I might add."
Minerva turned red in her embarrassment when everyone started to laugh merrily. It should be an interesting year she thought.