A/N: I hope you enjoy and as always, thank you for reading.

C/W: Verbal abuse.

For the disclaimer, please see the prologue.

Chapter Twenty-Six: August 1944

It was a crisp summer day in Inverness, and Minerva found herself thankful to be out of the heat of the continent. Along with Callum, Aidan, and Albus, she had been stationed at a training facility in France as they prepared to fight at the wizarding frontlines. The four of them were currently walking on the narrow sidewalk, content to relish in the normalcy of a day without Auror training. Minerva smiled slightly as she noticed that Callum had an extra jig in his step; the four of them had been released to the McGonagall family home for a brief respite as Lucy's baby was due imminently. The Minister had been true to his word and released them all, much to the frustration of the rest of their team. Her brother, not unexpectedly, was exhibiting obvious signs of nerves and excitement. He hadn't seen Lucy since mid-June, and it had been clear at training camp that he needed to know that Lucy and the baby were well. As always, Aidan trailed behind him, speaking animatedly in an attempt to impress Callum.

Albus walked beside Minerva, his hand brushing lightly against hers every few steps. "Now that we're almost there, are you excited to go home, Minerva?"

"I'm excited for Lucy and Callum, and I'm excited to be an aunt," Minerva answered slowly, stepping around a crack in the sidewalk. "To be at home, not so much."

"You don't talk about your home, even to me." Albus lowered his tone as Aidan and Callum bounded ahead in front of him. "While I will acknowledge that our time alone together has been sparse lately, Callum has told me more than you have."

"Has he, now?"

"He has." Albus wisely kept his tone neutral, avoiding the bait. "He mentioned that the three of you had a loving, albeit challenging, childhood."

"Callum's rarely wrong," Minerva sighed, "and he's not wrong about this." She hoped Albus would change the subject, but he stayed silent, correctly presuming she would speak into the silence. "I'm sure I've told you some of this before. My mother didn't tell my father that she was a witch until Diana began to exhibit signs of magic. He resented magic, particularly..." she swallowed. "Particularly mine."

"Your magic is stronger than that of your siblings, isn't it?" Albus surmised quietly. "You couldn't control it, could you?"

"No," Minerva shook her head against the memory, "no, I couldn't. You saw traces of that when you taught me Legilimency."

Albus paused for a moment, remembering. "He called you a witch."

"And while that is an accurate description of myself, there was not a trace of endearment to be found in the word," Minerva scoffed.

"Your mother didn't defend you?"

"If you're going to spend time in my home, you should be aware that my mother has silenced herself with an interesting concoction of regrets and envy." Uncharacteristically, Minerva fiddled with the sleeve of her overcoat. "She has a knack for simultaneously pretending magic doesn't exist, using it daily, and then making us feel bad for acknowledging that it is, in fact, real."

Her tone was final, and Albus could tell she had said all that she would. "Your parents seem to be quite the intimidating pair."

"Is that why you dressed up?" Minerva allowed her eyes to roam over Albus' form, which was outfitted in a very warm suit for the month of August, even for Scotland, and he cradled flowers in one arm.

"Well, I-" Albus blustered, his cheeks reddening. "It's the first time I'm meeting your parents."

She stopped them both by pressing a hand to his forearm. He looked at her, and she smiled. "It's adorable. I appreciate that you care so much."

"HOLY SHIT, MCGONAGALL, THIS IS WHERE YOU LIVE?" Aidan's shout interrupted their intimate moment as they rounded a corner, and he caught his first glimpse of her childhood home. "I didn't know that McGonagall Manor was an actual manor!"

"What else would it be, Aidan?" Her tone betrayed her amusement as Callum laughed, unlocking the wards.

"I thought you were pulling my leg!"

"For seven years? You're overestimating Minnie's capacity for humour, Aidan," Callum teased, nudging Aidan as he crossed the wards.

"I'm glad I dressed for the occasion," Albus murmured. Minerva rolled her eyes at him, pulling him through the gates. The group slowly walked the long length of the drive, inching closer to the doors.

"Why is it called McGonagall Manor if your dad's a muggle, Callum?" Aidan asked as they walked.

"Because Ma is an only child and inherited the magical home as a result," Callum answered. "She's a pureblood family; that's where the manor part comes from. Much like your own Scrimgeour Manor."

"Sure, but Scrimgeour Manor is one-tenth of the size of this joint," Aidan protested.

Callum continued, "It was meant to be a peace offering for Da, changing it from Ross Manor to McGonagall Manor."

"Please, don't bring that up once we're inside," Minerva interjected tersely. Aidan gave her an odd look, but she ignored his silent plea for an explanation. "It stirs up old arguments, and we're here for a very happy occasion. Please, Aidan. Don't."

As Aidan walked ahead with Callum, Albus leaned in over her shoulder. "You can't blame him for asking. I had the same question myself."

"He has his answer. That should suffice."

"Minerva, are you certain that going home is the best thing for you right now?" Albus inquired. "You seem to be somewhat on edge."

"Do I?" she snapped, closing her eyes when she saw his face fall. "Albus, my family is far from perfect, and as I was the youngest, I was left at home after Diana and Callum went to school. I didn't have anyone with whom I could secretly practice magic or play. I was kept isolated, far away from the other village children, because I was...unpredictable."

"You're still unpredictable," Albus chuckled before sobering slightly, "but I understand that a childhood home does not always equate to a happy childhood."

"It was often happy," Minerva corrected. "Merely difficult, that's all." She paused for a moment, looking between Albus and the ever-nearing door as another weight made its presence known in her mind. "Albus, are we telling anyone about us? I know we've kept it quiet so far, but these are my parents, despite everything, and I didn't know how we wanted to handle this. Or rather," she paused, thinking about the current global situation, "if we would have another chance to tell them."

"I had rather thought we'd let this moment belong to Lucy and Callum," he answered quickly. Almost too quickly, Minerva thought briefly, but then his eyes lit up in a conspiratorial fashion. "I thought I'd give your parents a chance to like me first. Besides, your father sounds frightening, and I can't die away from the front. The Minister would not be pleased with me."

Minerva released a weary laugh as they joined Callum and Aidan on the stoop. "Is everyone ready?"

"We are, now that you lot have hurried up." Callum's smile widened. He knocked on the griffin door knocker. Minerva bit back a smile as she saw her brother bounce up on his toes, clearly impatient to see Lucy.

Minerva's mother Isobel opened the door, and her smile matched her son's. "You're here! Robert, they're here!" She enveloped Callum in a hug before letting him step inside. "Minerva, sweetie, you next."

Inhaling deeply, Minerva stepped around Albus and Aidan to hug her mother. "Hi, Ma."

"It's wonderful to see you looking so well," Isobel smiled. "I'm happy you're home."

"And she looks more like her mother every time she graces us with her presence." Minerva's eyes flickered down the open hallway to see her father clapping Callum's back, his voice reverberating around the large space. "We're happy to see you, Minerva."

"You, too." Minerva gently unwrapped her mother's arms so that she could greet her father. "How are you, Da?"

"I'm about to have my first grandchild," Robert announced grandly, as though this was brand new information. "In the eyes of the Lord, this makes me well and truly blessed. I could only be better if my daughters would make me a grandfather as well. Any news on that front, Minerva?"

Minerva took in a sharp breath and looked towards the door, wondering if it was too soon to make a break for it. She could see Isobel tiredly press a hand to her cheek, clearly worried about what was to come, and Aidan was biting his lip, repressing a laugh. Albus' expression concerned her: his eyes had gone wide, and he was blushing furiously underneath his beard.

"Da, really? So soon?" Callum muttered.

"I think it's fair for a father to ask his daughter if there are any serious men in her life, Callum," Robert frowned, turning on his son. "In fact, if only Mr. Peverell had thought to ask Lucy sooner-"

"I'm afraid I've scared off any man that might come running, Mr. McGonagall," Aidan interrupted, his tone light. "It would take a special man to be worthy of my best friend, and I'm sorry to say I haven't found him yet."

Minerva sighed in happy relief. While Aidan had a new, vengeful side of his personality after the loss of Charlotte, the time at the front had given him a cause to fight for, and for the most part, he had returned to his regular, jesting self. She beamed at her best friend, who was looking very pleased with himself for diffusing the tension. "You both remember our friend, Aidan Scrimgeour."

"Of course we do!" Isobel smiled kindly and pulled him in for a hug as well. She released him, and Minerva smirked upon seeing that his ears were turning red. "And so this is..."

"This is Albus Dumbledore." Minerva introduced him to her parents, her heart thudding. "He's the Deputy Headmaster at school, and he is a member of our contingent down at the front."

"It's an honour to have such an acclaimed professor grace our doorstep! Do come in, Mr. Dumbledore. I believe you started teaching at Hogwarts just after I left. I had a few younger friends that were quite enchanted with you!" Isobel laughed merrily, waving him in the door.

Minerva groaned inwardly, but to her surprise, Albus took it in stride.

"That's as fine a compliment as any to hear, Madam McGonagall," Albus chuckled, handing Isobel the flowers. "Thank you for allowing me to intrude on what is clearly a family event."

"Oh, nonsense!" Isobel blushed, and Minerva had a sinking feeling her mother would be owling her friends to brag about how she had received flowers from the Albus Dumbledore.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dumbledore." Robert stepped forward to shake Albus' hand. His tone was kind, but Minerva could tell he was acting politely for the sake of his reputation, not because he genuinely wanted to be. Her father had a hatred of magic, and even dressed as a Muggle, Albus's very aura exuded magic.

"Now that everyone has been introduced and has made it past the doorway, would I be able to see Lucy?" Callum interjected. "Which bedroom is she in?"

A soft, familiar voice floated down the stairs. "She's in the Solar room, Callum. Lucy is resting, but both baby and mother appear to be doing well. It won't be too long now, I shouldn't think."

"Poppy!" Minerva gasped, happy to see her friend appear in front of her. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"I'm training to be a healer, you know that," Poppy shrugged, her cheeks turning red. "The Peverells wanted only the best for Lucy's baby, and Madam Wallace happens to be in charge of my apprenticeship."

"You can only imagine how thrilled we were to hear that Poppy knew you," Isobel laughed. "Poppy has fit right in these past few days."

Callum looked over Poppy's shoulder, eager to push past her up the staircase. "What did you mean, it won't be too long? I wanted to be here before anything happened!"

"It would appear that your baby, like you, is impatient," Minerva grinned. "Now you'll get more time with the baby after it's born before we have to go back, though."

"It is a good turn of events, I think," Poppy agreed, her eyes flickering to the flowers in Isobel's hands. "Callum, where did those flowers come from?"

"I brought them for Mrs. McGonagall, to thank her for being our gracious host," Albus replied. "Why, is someone here allergic?"

"No, but it might set Lucy off if she finds out she has been struggling through labour to discover that her war hero husband didn't bring her any flowers," Poppy said pointedly.

"Oh, Merlin." Callum's eyes widened, and he quickly transfigured a wayward piece of parchment into a bouquet of flowers. Minerva took note of how her father's eyes narrowed. "Not my best work, but it will do. Poppy, take me to her?"

Poppy nodded and led him up the stairs. The others could hear her telling him to calm down, and Aidan snorted.

"There's no chance of him calming down, now is there?" Aidan asked, laughing to himself. "He'll be needing some Firewhisky before too long."

"We don't have any of that magical liquid here, Aidan," Robert responded, somewhat tersely. "We have proper Scottish malt whisky in this house."

There was a tense silence as Aidan realized his misstep. "I'm sorry, Mr. McGonagall. I didn't mean-"

"I'm sure we would all love to join you for a glass of that whisky while we wait for news from upstairs, Mr. McGonagall," Albus cut in smoothly. "Would you care to lead the way?"

"Yes, of course," Robert frowned, displeased that Albus had taken charge. "We can head to my study."

Minerva made to follow them, but her father intercepted her, gripping her forearm. She could feel Albus' eyes settle on her father's hand. "Yes?"

"Drinking whisky as an unmarried woman with unmarried male companions is unbecoming, Minerva," Robert tutted. "Why don't you go upstairs with your mother and help Poppy?"

Minerva looked at her father, mortified both because of the situation, and the fact that she hadn't seen it coming and should have. "If that's what you think is best, I can do that."

"Let's go see how Lucy is, sweetheart." Isobel came up behind her and nudged her towards the stairs and out of Robert's grip. They climbed the stairs, getting halfway up before Robert's voice called for their attention.

"Send your brother down while you're at it, Minerva. A man becoming a father should drink in celebration, not wait around like a nursemaid."

Minerva steeled her gaze at her father, noticing Aidan's discomfort, along with Albus' brewing anger. "Of course. Albus, Aidan, I hope you enjoy the whisky. It's a family recipe." She turned on her heel, forcing her mother to follow along behind her. "We'll be sure to alert you to any news."

Minerva paced outside the Solar room, her anxiety riding off of her in waves. Callum kept popping up the stairs every five minutes to see if anything had happened; he had not been pleased with his father's directive to leave Lucy in female-only company. An order which, Minerva noted tiredly, had been issued three hours earlier. Her father had seemingly become increasingly drunker throughout the day, professing to the world both his happiness at becoming a grandfather and his hatred of magic. Lucy's screams had only increased in volume, and, combined with her father's bellowing voice, were the cause of the migraine pounding behind Minerva's eyes. Isobel had been unable to stand it, going to the kitchens to help the elves prepare dinner. She chuckled inwardly, thinking about the elves: after all these years, her father still believed her mother was an incredible cook. Minerva and her siblings knew otherwise.

"Hello, stranger." An amused voice drifted towards Minerva from her left. "Fancy seeing you here."

Minerva turned in the direction of the voice, her eyebrow arched. "My eyes must deceive me. Rowena Lovegood, is it really you?"

Rowena smiled wickedly before crossing the hall and embracing her friend. "Can't a girl check-in on her best friend while she's home from the war?"

"Yes," Minerva whispered, amused. "However, we both know you would take any excuse to see Poppy."

"Min!" Rowena pushed her friend away, shaking her head. "That's still a secret!"

"I'm well aware. No one heard." Lucy's shriek pierced the air, proving Minerva's point. "How are you and your family?"

"We're all doing well," Rowena waved her hand dismissively. "One of the cousins is thinking of starting a newspaper -something with a Q, I can't remember- but Merlin knows the futility of that endeavour."

"The Prophet tends to reign supreme," Minerva nodded. "Why on earth would your cousin want to enter publishing?"

"I have no idea," Rowena snorted. "Something about creature rights, I think." Her expression turned serious, and her eyes searched Minerva's. "How is Aidan?"

Minerva sighed, "Aidan is...Aidan. He is still his same prankster, comical, witty, caring self."

"Except for when he's not," Rowena challenged.

Minerva quirked an eyebrow. Rowena and Aidan had never spent much time together, despite their mutual circle of friends. "Why are you asking me?"

"Because Poppy still hasn't recovered," Rowena's grey eyes turned stormy, "and she won't talk to me about it. I wondered how Aidan was faring."

"Ah," Minerva breathed, inwardly chastising herself. "He has the occasional nightmare, and he battles with the dark side of his magic far more often than before. As awful as it is, I believe the war is proving to be a useful distraction."

"I can imagine," Rowena inhaled deeply. "That's why I've decided to do intelligence work for the Unspeakables."

Green eyes widened underneath their spectacles. "Why in Merlin's name would you do that?"

"I'm restless, Min, and I need to do something that's not learning how to sit at a desk."

"Ro, you knew what the job description of an Unspeakable entailed when you applied for the position. You knew you'd have at least two years of desk duty."

"Yes, and now I find that I'm rather bored. I miss flying, walking, moving, really," Rowena defended herself. "I'm new, so they'll only send me in if they're really desperate for people. But," her eyes sparkled, "I get to train, so that's something!"

"Ro, I didn't need another friend to worry about." Minerva closed her eyes. "I'm having trouble keeping the other three in check as it is."

"Min, I didn't tell you so that you could fight me on it." Rowena's eyes narrowed. "Besides, I might end up with you on the frontlines, and then we could fight together. Then you could protect me."

Before Minerva could open her mouth to retort that she would rather not need to protect her friend at all, Poppy burst through the door to the Solar room.

"Minerva- Ro!" Poppy's eyes widened in happy surprise, taking her girlfriend in. "It's time. Go and get your mother, in case she wants to be here."

Minerva nodded and ran down the stairs, her Scottish brogue becoming more pronounced as her voice bubbled in excitement. "Ma? Ma, it's time!"

An hour later, Aidan, Albus, and Minerva were standing around Lucy's bed in the Solar room as Lucy cradled her newborn baby girl. Callum stood over them, a protective arm wrapped around the two.

"Congratulations, both of you," Albus beamed. "A very happy occasion. She's beautiful."

"Thank you, Albus," Callum smiled. Minerva's lips rose into a smirk. It had taken Callum weeks to become comfortable calling Albus "Albus" and not "Professor," and she was happy to see her brother had become accustomed to his presence.

"Yeah, congratulations," Aidan echoed, slightly red.

Lucy laughed, "You don't want to be here, do you?"

"I'm not very good with emotions and personal," Aidan waved his arms around aimlessly, "I don't know, situations. So, I'm very happy for you, but I am very uncomfortable, and I feel like I'm intruding."

They all laughed heartily at that remark. "You're not intruding, Aidan," Callum chuckled. "You wouldn't be here if we were uncomfortable with the idea."

"Yeah, well, I'm uncomfortable. That baby is small." Aidan shook his head before turning to Minerva. "Can I go now?"

She rolled her eyes. "Good heavens, go."

"Thank Merlin, because like I said, that baby is tiny, and I have an itch to pull a prank...but even I'm not so daft as to do it around a baby. Perhaps your room, Minerva?" Aidan's face twisted in excitement. "I have the best idea for your shampoo!"

"Aidan, do not touch my room!" Minerva yelled as loudly as she could, given the baby in the room, watching her friend dash off.

"Actually," Callum rubbed the back of his neck, causing his hair to stick up, "Albus, could you give us a moment with Minerva now that Aidan has decided to leave?"

"Of course," Albus replied. "If Minerva has no qualms about me entering her room, perhaps I'll see if I can dissuade Aidan from tampering with anything."

"Please, stop him," Minerva groaned, too annoyed to be embarrassed that Albus would be in her room when she had no idea what state it was in.

"Gladly," he chuckled. "Congratulations again, both of you."

"Thank you," Callum and Lucy chorused softly. Once Albus had shut the door behind him, a grin lit up Callum's face. "Now, Minnie, we had an idea we wanted to float by you."

"And what would that be?" Minerva raised an eyebrow.

"We wanted to name our lass after you," Callum said, emotion overcoming his voice, unleashing his brogue.

"Her name is Minerva?" Her voice was soft, touched at her brother's gesture.

"Nah, of course not." His grin turned wicked. "It's Minnie."

Minerva's mouth dropped open, and her nostrils flared. "Callum Robert McGonagall, tell me that you did not bestow that awful nickname upon my beautiful niece!"

While quiet, her vexation shone through her voice, causing Lucy to intervene. "No, Min, we're not naming her Minnie. Although, I'll have you know that Callum did try." She shot an unimpressed look at her husband. "No, her full name is Iolanthe Mira McGonagall. Iolanthe is a Peverell family name, and Mira is obviously a shortening of your name, in homage to you."

Tears prickled at the back of Minerva's eyes. "I think that's a beautiful name for a beautiful baby. And," she cleared her throat, "I am honoured that you'd name her after me."

"We figured we couldn't name her after anyone else, seeing as you're the godmother," Callum teased.

"Really? Me?"

"If you consent, then yes," Lucy smiled softly. "We could think of no one better."

"I'll protect little Iolanthe with my life," Minerva promised fiercely. She had never been the maternal type, but upon seeing her niece wrapped in the Ross family tartan, she knew she'd never quite known love like it before. "Is there a godfather I should know about?"

"Aidan," Callum laughed. "You already know who he is, I reckon."

"All too well," Minerva groaned, slumping into a chair. "Why did you choose someone so terrible at handling babies?"

"Because he loves Callum," Lucy quipped. "And," her voice softened, "he's an excellent, loyal friend who needs someone to love and protect."

Minerva nodded in agreement. "Aye, he does."

"Now, I think it's time that Iolanthe and I made an appearance in her nursery." Callum gently removed Iolanthe from her mother's arms. "Let's go on a tour of the manor, hmm?"

"Should you be doing that so soon?" Minerva inquired, suddenly worried for her niece's safety.

"I think I can take my daughter on a walk around the house, Minnie." Callum rolled his eyes. "Besides, Luce needs to talk to you alone for a moment. This way, the main attraction is outside; you shouldn't have any interruptions." He walked out of the room, muttering to Iolanthe as he closed the door.

"He's going to be a wonderful father," Lucy mused, her eyes on the door, wistful.

"I'd wager he already is," Minerva beamed, happy for her brother. "Now, what did you need to talk to me about?"

"Come here," Lucy patted the bed. She waited until Minerva was settled beside her before Summoning a package from the closet. "What I'm about to give you must never leave this room."

"The item, or the fact that you're giving it to me?" Minerva replied, humour lacing her voice.

"What I'm giving you, Min." Lucy shook her head, a smile on her face. "It's a Peverell family heirloom, and I want you to have it."

Minerva's eyebrow quirked in question as she opened the package. She tore the tissue paper off to find..."Lucy, this is impossible."

"It's not impossible, I promise."

"Well then, if it's real, I cannot accept it."

"You can," Lucy wrapped her hand around her sister-in-law's, "and you will."

"Why on earth are you giving this to me?" Minerva wondered, letting the folds of what appeared to be an authentic invisibility cloak sift through her fingers.

"Because you're on the frontlines," Lucy said gently, "and I want you to be as safe as possible."

"This should go to Iolanthe," Minerva breathed, "or Callum, at least."

"My first thought was Callum," Lucy admitted, "but he insisted that you have it. He loves you."

"And I him, very much, but..." Minerva trailed off, not sure how to articulate her feelings. "He has a family. A wife and daughter who need him. I don't have anyone to worry about."

"He worries about you. He's your older brother. He insisted, and he wouldn't be the man I love if he took it in place of protecting you. And I worry about you too, Min," Lucy added. "You're my sister.

"I'll return it to you after the war," Minerva promised.

"No need," Lucy laughed. "I don't want it back. Callum will give it to Iolanthe, and then I'll spend my entire life raising a child who will become invisible every time she wants to get out of trouble. And, even though I shouldn't say this, it has caused far too many feuds in my family. It will be safe with you."

"I'm...I'm very touched, Lucy. Thank you." Minerva gingerly embraced her friend. "This means more to me than you could ever know."

"Just use it to return from the war in one piece so that Iolanthe will know her Aunt Minnie," Lucy grinned, laughing hard as Minerva dropped her head into her lap at the nickname, various parts of her disappearing as she fell within the folds of the cloak.

"To Iolanthe Mira McGonagall!" Robert's prideful, albeit inebriated, voice bellowed around the dinner table, and everyone raised their glasses in celebration. Minerva stood between her father and Rowena, Albus directly across from her. She caught Albus' eye, and he winked, swallowing the whisky.

"I must say, Mr. McGonagall," Albus said once they were all seated again, "that your family's whisky is fantastic."

"Thank you, Albus." Robert accepted the compliment. "We may not have magic, but we can use the Lord's instruments to make something beautiful."

"Is it just me, or has your father sounded more and more lately like the minister he is?" Rowena muttered to Minerva, her voice quieted by her glass.

"He does have a tendency to become, well, holier when magic is around," Minerva murmured in reply, coughing slightly when her father's attention turned to their conversation.

"I'm also thankful," Robert continued, slightly more loudly, "that we are joined by such good friends on this happy occasion. It's always nice to see Rowena and Aidan." He inclined his head slightly towards the two. "And not only do we have old friends, but we have new friends, too! They may be magical friends, but they have taken care of my children today, and at the front, so I would also like to formally welcome Poppy and Albus into our fold. We accept everyone, no matter their sins."

There was an awkward silence for a few moments as everyone looked at the McGonagall patriarch. "Da, can you no longer hold your liquor?" Callum inquired, his mood dampening slightly.

"Callum, my dislike for your...lifestyle choice is well-known, and it is important to me that when I welcome someone into my home, they know what we expect from them, behaviorally speaking." Robert glared at his son. "You may have just made me a grandfather, but don't think I forgot about your stunt with the flowers earlier."

"Noted." Callum's cheeks flushed, embarrassed, and he downed the remaining whisky in his glass.

"Robert." Isobel's voice was light, although a warning was laced within her words. "Today is a happy day."

"Rules exist on happy days; that's what keeps them happy days." Minerva, Robert, and Callum all spoke at the same time, the childhood mantra clearly remembered.

"We should have that motto up at the school," Albus mentioned mildly. Minerva shot him a grateful look.

"I think that would have made our lives a lot easier," Aidan piped up. "It would have kept a lot of kids out of the Hospital Wing."

"There was a hospital wing at your school?" Robert asked, leaning forward. "Just how often are students getting hurt there? Isobel, I thought you said it was safe."

Isobel stammered, "Well, it is, but due to the nature of the coursework, students often have mild afflictions."

"Yeah," Aidan nodded in agreement, "it's all usually minor. We've all ended up there, one time or another."

"Even my children?" Robert's eyebrow rose, and Aidan shrunk back in his seat.

"I've had a few bumps in my time," Callum shrugged, "and Diana and Minerva have been there once or twice." He caught his sister's eyes, and they both were instantly transported to the moment they saw Diana strewn across a hospital bed, broken. "Nothing that couldn't be fixed."

"What kind of school are you running, Albus?" Robert turned to Albus, his face furious.

"To be fair to Professor Dumbledore, he doesn't run the school," Rowena chimed in. "He's the Deputy Headmaster, and besides, the school is perfectly safe. No matter where you are, magical or not, kids have accidents. Right, Poppy?"

"Right," Poppy replied faintly, looking very much like she wished she had never set foot in McGonagall Manor. Her friend's closed-off demeanour was starting to make sense after seven years of living together, and truth be told, Poppy almost wished the stoic facade had remained just that.

"While I will accept that our school may seem dangerous, we have many rules and regulations in place to ensure all students have a safe place in which they can live and learn," Albus spoke calmly, though his eyes flashed at the insinuation. "My colleagues and I work diligently to ensure this is the case. It's no different than a nurse at a public school."

"Speaking of this school," Robert narrowed his eyes, "how long have you taught there?"

"Da, you hate talking about Hogwarts. Why are you bringing it up now? Let's change topics," Minerva answered instead, eyes begging her father to let it rest. "Da, it's not important."

"It is, now that I realize it wasn't a safe environment! Thank you, Aidan, for bringing that to my attention," Robert added, and Aidan sunk further into his chair, mortified.

"Minerva, it's fine." Albus held up his hand. "I've been teaching there for more than twenty years. I have been Deputy Headmaster for fifteen."

"That's a long time," Robert narrowed his eyes, "and yet you look like you're only thirty."

"Not that you want to hear it, Da, but wizards age differently than muggles," Callum said.

"So Albus here could date someone thirty years younger, and it wouldn't look like he was dating his daughter?" Robert inquired.

"If I were so inclined, yes," Albus responded, his tone neutral as his eyes slowly flickered to meet Minerva's. She swallowed, hoping he wouldn't give much credence to their age difference after her father had made it seem so...dirty.

"How old are you, Isobel?" Robert turned on his wife. "Shall I add this to the laundry list of things that you tricked me about?"

"Robert," Isobel gasped, "I'm exactly as old as I told you."

"You don't look like you've stopped ageing," Robert muttered, his alcohol-muddled mind slowly drawing a conclusion. "Do you magic yourself into looking older for me?"

"Da," Minerva whispered, knowing that she had often watched her mother perform those very spells. "Don't ask her that."

"I can ask my wife whatever I damn well please, Minerva!" her father shouted, slamming his whisky on the table. Poppy jumped at the impact, and Minerva closed her eyes, mentally preparing for her father's next outburst. "Isobel, are you using magic every day?"

"Not every day," Isobel admitted meekly, her cheeks reddening.

"How dare you! Why you insipid, little witch!"

"Mr. McGonagall, please treat your wife with respect, especially in front of your children," Albus interjected coldly. "This is not a conversation meant for anyone else to hear."

"With all due respect, Professor, I can ask whatever questions I like in my own home!" Robert yelled, keeping his eyes on Isobel.

"Except this isn't your home, Da. It's Ma's, and you know it." Callum's voice was cold as he placed a comforting hand on his mother's forearm.

"It's mine in name, son," Robert stated thickly, taking another gulp from his glass. "It no longer belongs to her."

"Da, you might have it in Muggle contract form, but the blood wards supersede all of that." Callum waved off his father's comment. "The three of us, along with Diana, could kick you out, and you would never be able to see this place again."

As Robert began another speech about the secrets his family had kept from him, Minerva let her mind wander. She hated her father's tirades, and she was more than embarrassed that this would forever be Albus' first impression of her family.

"How much did your mom keep from him?" Rowena leaned over, her voice a whisper. "I'm almost impressed by how much he doesn't know."

"Enough," Minerva murmured. "And it wasn't just her, but all of us."

"How dare you speak when I'm speaking!" Robert turned to face his daughter. "I raised you better than that!"

"You also raised me to answer when spoken to," Minerva responded coolly, her eyebrow arching. "I wasn't about to ignore Rowena. You weren't even speaking to me."

"You wizards have the worst manners." Robert shook his head. "Why, I should have you sent to bed without supper for ignoring our rules."

"Rules?" Minerva sputtered, aghast. "My friend asked a question, and I answered."

"Your father matters more than your friends!"

"I love my friends more than anything!" Minerva yelled back, her eyes widening when she realized that she was pushing her father further than she ever had, and she didn't quite care. "I'm not going to listen to your rant when a friend wants to have a civilized conversation!"

"Would you rather I addressed you directly, Minerva?" Her father's face turned red. "Do you want to talk about all of the times I've had to cover for your affliction? Would you like me to reveal to the table how bookish you were, friends few and far between? The way you followed Callum like a shadow? The only reason I let you go to that school of yours was to get you out of my hair!"

While she had known that to be true, his words struck as sharply as if his hand had hit her face. She went to respond, but he beat her to it.

"And now I find out that this school of yours," Robert sneered, "had a hospital wing-"

"Like a lot of muggle schools, Da," Callum interrupted.

"-where no one told me that my children were injured, where instead of religion you were taught magic, and how to do unnatural acts, like alter the world, alter yourselves for your own goals and vanity!" Robert's chest heaved as he ended his monologue, sweat glistening on his forehead.

"Mr. McGonagall, there are bad witches and wizards, but there are also good witches and wizards," Albus spoke, his voice icy. "Much like there are good and bad people who exist without magic."

"You commit the greatest sins of all, you wizards," Robert spat, his eyes roaming the table madly. "You trick your loved ones with your appearance, you bewitch the mind, you harm others...you can commit so many crimes. Isobel, for all I know, you have tricked me every day for the past twenty-five years. Callum, what kind of horrors did you get up to at this school to need medical attention? Minerva, were you and Diana safe from the desires of men? Is there a chance you've ever been bewitched? And you, Albus, in a position of power, Lord knows what you get up to! You and your colleagues must trick a fair number of students into your bed, never ageing, wielding all sorts of power. How do you do it? How can you live with yourself?"

"You cannae expect him to answer that!" Minerva shrieked, her Scottish brogue relaying her horror.

"I've never tricked a student into my bed, Robert, and I'd kindly ask you to refrain from making such baseless attacks against me, or anyone else at this table, again." Albus' eyes were furious.

"Or what, you'll curse me with one of your stick thingies and leave me here to die? Cut my tongue out? Lock me in my own mind? You lot have no respect for anyone else!" Robert roared. "I pray for your souls, all of you!"

"Robert, really darling, you should calm down. This stress isn't good for you." Isobel attempted to pat his hand, but he whipped it away.

"If you cared about my stress levels, you wouldn't have tricked me into falling for you!" Robert snapped.

"Da, please," Minerva begged. "Please, be quiet."

"I will not be quiet, you filthy heretic! You silly, ridiculous girl. You've been a nuisance your entire life, and you ask me to be quiet?"

"That's enough, Robert!" Albus yelled, his hand on his wand. "Stop insulting your family. I will not ask again."

"You dare threaten me with magic?" Robert screamed, eyes ablaze.

Iolanthe's sudden cries could be heard from above. "Da, if she woke up because of you, I will hex you myself!" Callum threatened lowly, throwing his napkin down and running out of the room.

"At this point, I'd join him," Aidan interjected. He fixed his gaze on Robert. "Sorry, Madam McGonagall. You know I love you and your pumpkin pasties, but your husband is making an arse of himself."

"Aidan!" Minerva hissed.

"I will intervene if necessary," Isobel choked out, clearly upset. "Please, stop fighting."

"Ma, ya havena used anything but household and beauty spells in over twenty years," Minerva snapped tiredly. "Ya wouldna be doing anything."

Suddenly, the plates shattered as Isobel released a sob and ran out of the room.

"Too many bloody wizards running around our house," Robert muttered. "Look what you've done. You upset your mother, Minerva." He stood up and left the room, clearly intent on finding his wife.

"Welllllll, I sure could use some more whisky," Rowena whistled once the elder McGonagalls had taken their leave. "We haven't had a McGonagall dinner like that in a while. I forgot how quickly they could go wrong. Whisky's still in the same place, yeah?"

"It's in the cellar," Minerva responded numbly. She felt embarrassed, horrified and upset all at once. "Key is behind the light with the stained glass."

"We'll go get some of that and see if we can scrounge up some chocolate for you, too," Poppy said kindly. "You look like you could use some, Min."

"Aidan, will you come with us?" Rowena asked, looping her arm through Poppy's.

"Yeah, whisky sounds good to me." Aidan shook his head. "I'm so sorry I brought up the Hospital Wing. But blimey, I see where you get your temper from, Min."

Minerva's eyes shot up to meet her friend's, hers brimming with unshed tears. "Aidan, please. Go get the whisky."

"Min, I'm sor-" Aidan began, but Albus clapped him on the shoulder, effectively cutting him off.

"Aidan, why don't you go with the others? I'll stay here with Minerva in case her father comes back," Albus said, steering Aidan towards Poppy and Rowena. "I think this calls for someone with more experience in these matters, hmmm?"

"Right." Aidan shook his head again, clearly relieved. "Let's go find the whisky!" He led the others out of the room, leaving Minerva and Albus alone. They stared at each other for a few moments until Minerva finally broke.

"Albus," she breathed, and before the first tears had fallen, he was at her side, cloaking spells cast around them. "This was not how I wanted you to meet him. I'm so sorry."

"Shhh, my dear," he soothed. Pressing her head to his chest, he rubbed his hand down her arm. "None of that was your fault."

"But," she hiccupped, "he was so cruel to you. If it weren't for me, you wouldna have had to endure that."

"If it weren't for you," Albus said solemnly, "I'd probably be on the frontlines right now, with no knowledge of your safety or whereabouts. Don't blame yourself for your father."

"I wish you could stay with me tonight," she cried softly, her tears wetting his suit jacket.

"He wouldn't dare attack you in the middle of the night, would he?" Albus' voice was low and menacing.

"Merlin, no," Minerva answered. "No, nothing like that. Just so you could hold me."

"I'm sure a bird could fly through your window if you were inclined to leave it open," Albus smiled, wiping a stray tear off her cheekbone. "And a bird might be able to become a human."

"I love magic," Minerva whispered, realizing the irony of her words at the given moment. "Thank you."

"I'm so sorry I never realized how ruthlessly blunt your father could be." Albus shook his head at himself. "Or how drunk. I should have listened to you more carefully."

"Albus, I never said anything. You could never have known. Besides," she sniffled, "he rarely has that much to drink. It normally isn't that bad around here."

"My dear, sometimes what isn't said is just as important to hear as that which is said."

"That's very philosophical, Albus."

He laughed. "I've been known to impart a few words of wisdom in my time. What do you say we get out of here tomorrow and give everyone some time to cool down? I can't imagine that your father will be pleased to see me after I practically pulled my wand on him."

"Where do you suggest we go?" She looked into his eyes, her forehead creasing. "There isn't much to do around here."

"Perhaps not much," Albus agreed, "but enough. I investigated before we came here, and there is a bowling alley not too far into the village."

"Bowling?" A smile lit her face as her heart swelled. "Truly?"

"Would you care to go on a date with me tomorrow, my dear? I do believe you promised me that we'd find a way to do something fun this summer."

It was her turn to laugh, her heart warming as she remembered their conversation in the Hospital Wing. "I would love to." She squeezed his hand. "But do you think we can leave everyone else here without supervision?"

"After the way your father behaved, I'd prefer you to be far away from him. And if he acts up, well," Albus shrugged, "I have no qualms about Aidan and Callum having some magical fun like they did in Gryffindor tower. Maybe they'll charm his mouth shut?"

"Albus," Minerva sighed, "he's still my father."

"He is, which is why I would reverse whatever spell they saw fit to use," Albus' eyes sparkled, "after we got home."