Minerva woke up to a whimpering baby. Her babe was no longer resting on her chest it seemed. She eyed a beautifully decorated white cradle next to her side of the bed. It hadn't been there when she dosed off to sleep. It had lovely representation of a variety of Magical Creatures on it and was oversized so it would be of use for a couple of years. Hermione was awake and pouting somewhat. "Oh my precious," she whispered. "How did you get there?"
"I had Heather the house elf place her in it after you and Tom fell asleep," Helena Ravenclaw answered from the door. "The cradle was last used by me. I had Heather get it from mother's storage for you. I doubt Hermione will use her nursery until much later."
"It's beautiful," Minerva offered as she took a closer look at the craddle. "Thank you. I doubt I could stand to have her away from me for a while yet. I have waited a lifetime for her."
"I figured as much," Helena said as she watched her heir feed her babe. "You will need to take her to visit the heir of Gryffindor when he is born."
"Harry," Minerva asked suprised. "Are they fated?"
Helena smiled at heir, "She has a soulmate but Harry isn't it. He needs her to push him towards his destiny but as his sister."
"His destiny," she asked confused. "Tom is no longer on that path."
"I'm not," Tom said as he revealed he no longer slept. "But that doesn't mean Harry still doesn't have a destiny to fulfill. There are still bigots out there and a fraction is banning together."
"What," Minerva asked suprised. "Who's leading them?"
"Bellatrix LeStrange," he answered sadly. "I wasn't able to prevent her from turning dark."
"There will be many things you won't be able to change," Helena Ravenclaw said. "But the things you have changed outweigh those that you cannot. Just remember when something happens that you cannot prevent, you can also react to and those actions might just turn the tides."
"You have saw something," Minerva whispered.
"Aye," the ghost revealed. "Several things but great things can come from those tragedies if you follow your instincts."
"We will try," Tom answered for them as he watched the Ravenclaw ghost float through the wall.
Minerva smiled as she entered the Great Hall with Hermione nestled gently in her arms. She deliberately chose to be late so all of the students could catch a peek at Hermione. Albus had made an announcement the day Hermione was born and he had graciously taken over her classes and Gryffindor Head duties for now. She had Hermione dressed in a lace covered blue gown and matching headband with a golden eagle on it.
Before Minerva could get up the aisle she was stopped by the Hogwarts ghosts. One by one, they all greeted Hermione politely even Peeves. Lastly, Helena Ravenclaw floated in front of them and cooed softly to Hermione. "I adore your precious outfit little love," Helena said which caused Hermione to giggle and reach for the ghost. Helena laughed musically and caressed the baby's cheek before floating away.
Minerva smiled and continued her way to the Head table. Albus held the chair for her and helped her scoot in. The wizard laughed happily when Hermione reach for him and pouted. He gleefully picked her up and turned her to face him. "Who is this lovely little witch" he asked in a baby voice. "Is this my lovely little Hermione?"
Minerva smiled as she filled her plate. The wizard fawned over his granddaughter and could be frequently seen reading a variety of children's books to her. He hadn't been joking about finding rare books when he discovered Minerva was pregnant. The Headmaster frequently brought a new book to the baby when he came to visit.
"She certainly looks like the Ravenclaw heir," Filius Flitwick commented with a grin.
Minerva smiled at her friend. "I wonder who gifted her with that dress and matching headband," Minerva asked with a raised eyebrow and a smile gracing her lips.
"It seemed fitting for the Ravenclaw heir," he defended with a smirk. "She looks adorable in it."
"She does," Minerva agreed. "I thought Grandmother would enjoy it so I couldn't resist. Thank you my friend." He just waved off her thanks. The half Goblin knew of Minerva's efforts for equality from his friend who had been one of Minerva's team members in the Magical Law Enforcement department. His friend had faced a lot of criticism and hate from pureblood bigots that didn't see halfbreed creatures as equals but he had sung Minerva's praises. Even to this day, his friend would visit Minerva whenever he ran across her. Minerva had earned Friend of the Goblin Nation status and Filius would always remember her kindness and fierce sense of justice.
Minerva smiled as she stepped out of the floo. Her former team were standing there waiting for her. She had wanted to suprise Tom with a visit but knew she needed an extra wand or two to keep Hermione safe. The child of the current Minister of Magic was a large prize for many including the rising dark faction. She shifted Hermione in her arms as she greeted her old team. "That you for agreeing to this," her Scottish brogue thick with emotion.
"You know we always have your back McGonagall," Gavin said with a sly grin. "Hey little lady," he baby spoke to Hermione who smiled at him.
"How's Ruth," Minerva asked him.
"Wonderful," he gushed. "She finished her medical apprenticeship and just got a job at St. Mungos. Now I know others might not find that spectacular given her age but I am awfully proud of her."
"I am proud of her too," Minerva said. "Her family and the Yaxley name could have broken her but she didn't allow it. She overcame her situation by finding a wizard who believed in her. I'm proud of you Gavin."
"Now you are going to swell his already inflated head Minerva," Devin his twin complained good-naturedly.
"Sorry Devin," she grinned as they headed to the Minister's Office.
Minerva waved to a multitude of Ministry employees by the time she made it to the Minister's office. She had arranged with his secretary to schedule a couple of hours free from his schedule. Minerva knocked briskly on the door and smiled when he bellowed "Enter."
The door opened and she was ushered in by her former team. Tom's eyes widened at the unexpected visit but a huge grin graced his face. He rushed to his family and greeted his wife with a kiss. Hermione reach for him and he swept her up in his arms and peppered kisses on her tiny little face prompting giggles.
"Can I borrow her when I need to speak with the Minister about increased funding," Gavin teased with a grin. "She has him completely besotted."
Minerva laughed merrily and smiled at Gavin. "Tom adores her," she agreed. "You should see Peeves around her."
"Peeves the poltergeist," questioned Devin thinking of the mischievous troublemaker at Hogwarts.
"Yes," she replied. "He follows her around like a lost puppy. When I am working in my office, he will sit and entertain her for hours on end without making a mess."
"Really," Devin questioned. "Peeves," he said disbelieving it.
"It is rather something to see," Tom agreed. "Thank you all for escorting my girls to me."
The group of would be protectors left the small family and headed back to work. "Thank you for the suprise," Tom said as he kissed his wife a bit more passionately.
"You are most welcome love," Minerva said with a grin. "Care to take us to lunch?"
"With pleasure," he said as they headed towards the Ministry Atrium. Tom had worked on building relationships throughout the Ministry regardless of departments and family connections and one of the best ways had been adding a dining area. Groups from various departments could be seen eating together during their lunch break or having a tea to discuss a variety of topics. It had worked out rather well although it was still fairly new.
Tom and Minerva settled on a small table near middle of the dining area and quickly ordered a light lunch. Tom shifted Hermione in front of him and grinned at her. "Where did you find these robes," he asked with a grin.
Minerva laughed before quipping, "I'm not the Transfiguration Professor for nothing."
Hermione was dress in formal looking green dress robes. The Slythrein crest was etched on the left side of the chest area. She had a silver headband with sparkling emeralds throughout it. As a last minute touch, Minerva had added a tiny purse that attached to the robes. It was silver but had the Slythrein banner on it. She looked like a Slythrein princess!
Tom peeked in the tiny purse and burst out laughing when he saw a pacifier and tiny book in it. "Your Momma is a rather clever witch, isn't she," he asked Hermione, his amusement evident in his features. Hermione giggled as if she knew what he had said.