A/N: Thank you for all of the kind messages, and I hope you like this chapter!

For the disclaimer, please see the prologue.

Chapter Thirty-Two: December 1945

"So, Poppy is apparently bringing her new partner to Christmas dinner," Callum announced casually during one of their weekly dinners. Lucy, Aidan, and Minerva turned to look at him, surprise evident on their faces. "What? What's wrong with that?"

Minerva rose an eyebrow. "Nothing is wrong with that, but it's a bit of a shock to hear that she will be bringing her girlfriend to our very religious household, especially when she didn't want our parents to know about Rowena. Is she introducing her as her partner?"

"I don't know," Callum responded. "I just heard it from Ma the other day."

"Why wouldn't Poppy have told us?" Aidan asked Minerva, who simply shrugged. "I thought we were her friends."

"You are," Lucy chuckled, "but Isobel told us that Poppy was bringing a guest along. She wanted a full house for Christmas this year, seeing as all of you heroes were out at war last year. Isobel knows that Poppy is your school friend, and I suppose she impressed your mother when she helped deliver little Iolanthe here." On cue, Iolanthe started babbling. They all smiled, and Lucy gently patted her daughter's head.

"Poppy asked Ma if she could bring her "friend," so naturally when I heard that, I sent an owl to Poppy to ask." Callum smiled mischievously. "Poppy asked if she could bring her here first to meet us all. She wanted Albus to be here, too. Min, I'm sure you could ask him?"

"Of course," Minerva said briskly, paying no attention to her brother's smirk. "I'll send a letter with Felina when I get home tonight. Aidan, will you be bringing Scarlet?"

"Nah." Aidan shook his head. "Apparently the Weasleys are quite a big family, so they have a whole bunch of parties planned. I'm not really in the mood to be questioned about my intentions by a gazillion of her distant relatives."

"Not quite ready for a commitment, eh?" Callum laughed.

Aidan blushed as the ladies joined in. "Hey, why is everyone making fun of me? We still don't know who Min's secret boyfriend is!"

Minerva sobered quickly. "No, you don't. All you need to know is that things are going well, and I'm happy."

That was all true. Minerva was the happiest she'd been in a long time, certainly since before the war. True to his promise, she and Albus had managed to carve out alone time both in London and in Hogsmeade. As it happened, Minerva ended up meeting Albus' brother, Aberforth. While he was undoubtedly gruff, he was by no means rude to her. In any event, he had let her stay in one of his rooms with Albus at various points over the last few months. They spent their time together talking about his students and her classes, their bond, and simply enjoying each other's company. To her amusement, she had even won her fair share of Wizard's Chess matches.

It had been their pleasure to discover that winning remained an aphrodisiac.

"We're all glad to hear that," Lucy said slowly. "And," she continued, looking harshly at Aidan, "we won't badger you. We're here when you're ready."

"Thank you," Minerva responded softly. "Anyway, what day is Poppy hoping to come? Is it our usual dinner, or some other time? I need to give Albus an actual date, or he won't be able to plan accordingly."

"Saturday next," Callum answered. "We thought everyone could come over for afternoon tea."

"Sounds perfect," Aidan grinned. "I'm supposed to meet Scarlet's older brothers, but I'd much rather be here."

"How many brothers does she have?" Minerva wondered.

"I don't know," Aidan shrugged. "More than four, which is enough to hurt me."

They all laughed, Iolanthe joining in.

It was the day of the revelation, and Minerva was nervous. She couldn't predict how her friends and family would react to the news that Rowena wasn't actually dead, instead existing under a different persona. She hoped against hope that Albus' role in the ordeal wouldn't be revealed lest Callum lose his mind: the last thing she needed was another reason for her brother to distrust Albus. She bounced her foot against Callum's couch, anxiously awaiting Poppy, Rolanda, and Albus' arrival.

"You okay, Min?" Aidan asked. "You look like you're waiting to walk to the guillotine."

"No guillotine." Minerva shook her head. "I'm just nervous."

"To meet Poppy's partner?" Callum chuckled. "That's bizarre, even for you."

Minerva rolled her eyes as their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" She ran to the door, sighing in relief when she saw the outstanding trio all together. "You're here."

"We are," Albus laughed. "I found these two outside, so we walked up together."

"It's good to see you both again." Minerva pulled Poppy into a hug first, then Rolanda. "It's been much too long."

"It has," Poppy agreed. "Life at St. Mungo's has run me off my feet."

"I barely see her myself," Rolanda said cheekily, elbowing Poppy gently in the ribs. "Between quidditch training and catching up on life, our lives have been a bit of a whirlwind."

"Catching up on life?" Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Whatever does that mean?"

"That's exactly what I asked, but I was put off until now," Albus laughed. He walked around the pair and placed a gentle hand on Minerva's shoulder. "Good to see you again, my dear."

"You too, Albus," she responded, unable to stop the slight brush that crept up her neck. He walked by her to join the others in the living room, and Poppy raised her eyebrow at her, smirking. Minerva wrinkled her nose, knowing very well that Poppy was thinking back to their conversation in the hospital in France.

"None of that, Pops." She shut the conversation down before it could get started. "Now, Minerva asked quietly, "are you really going to tell all of us? The whole truth?"

"Of course. At least, as much of the story as they can stomach," Rolanda laughed wickedly. "You're the one who told me that I couldn't keep it a secret, Min."

"No," Minerva sighed, "you can't. Even if I hadn't known, I would have guessed after spending fifteen minutes with you. You act exactly the same."

"Why change perfection?" Rolanda smirked. "Ready, ladies?"

Poppy cast a side-eyed glance at Minerva, who was trying not to laugh. "I suppose we might as well get this over with."

They walked into the living room, where the rest of their troupe was waiting to meet Rolanda. Minerva left the couple standing in front of everyone and sat on the floor in front of Albus, gently pressing her back against his legs. Aidan gave her an odd look at her seat selection, but she ignored it.

"This," Poppy swallowed, looking at them all nervously, "is Rolanda Hooch."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Rolanda." Lucy smiled warmly. "I'm Lucy McGonagall, and this is my husband, Callum. Our daughter is—"

She was interrupted by Rolanda's laughter. "I'm sorry, this is too bloody bizarre. You're all so formal and...staged." Rolanda waved her hand, gesturing at their formal positions.

"What do you mean?" Lucy's brow creased.

"Why does your voice sound so familiar?" Aidan asked, scrunching his eyebrows. "Have we met before?"

"I told you they'd know," Minerva muttered. Albus pressed a hand against her shoulder in warning.

"Told you that we'd know what?" Callum was bewildered.

"Is this why you were nervous, Min? You know who she is?" Aidan looked between the two of them. "What's going on?"

"Yes, you do know me," Rolanda grinned. "Any guesses from where?"

"We don't need to drag this out," Poppy whispered to her as an aside. She cleared her throat, raising her voice. "Yes, you do. You know her as Rowena."

It took a moment for those words to settle with the group. Minerva winced, waiting for the blow-up. She could feel Albus tense behind her in anticipation.

"This is a really sick joke," Lucy began. "Our friend Rowena died during the war. Poppy, I'm surprised at you."

"No, it's not a joke," Aidan realized. "It is Rowena."

"What? Aidan, don't be ridiculous."

"He's not, Lucy," Callum interjected. "Rowena had a scar on her right wrist that she got in our garden when we were kids. This woman," he jerked his head towards Rolanda, "has the same scar. She is exactly the same, except for her face."

"Oh, my lord," Lucy gasped. "Really?" She looked at her husband, and at Callum's disbelieving nod, she ran up and hugged Rolanda. "You have no idea how wonderful this is!"

"It is wonderful," Aidan said, "but I want to know how this happened and why the hell you have a different name. Plus, why the world had to think you were dead."

"Aidan, now is not the time to put your Auror hat on," Minerva scolded. "Be happy that Rowena —Rolanda, sorry— is back with us."

"Easy for you to say, seeing as you apparently knew and didn't see fit to tell any of us that our friend was alive," Aidan snapped.

"She didn't tell you because she couldn't. We asked her not to. Don't be mad at her," Poppy said firmly. "If you all would be quiet, we'll tell you the story."

"As you all know, I was working with the Unspeakables," Rolanda said, and she began to tell her story. Lucy started to cry as she heard of her experiences in the hospital as the healers had tried to fix her face in vain. When she reached the part that would necessarily detail Albus' intervention, Minerva inhaled deeply.

"I was essentially deemed to be a dead woman walking," Rolanda continued, "until Poppy ran into Albus most fortuitously in the hospital."

Callum didn't need any more information than that. "You did this, Albus?"

"It's not like it was dark magic, and it kept me alive, Cal." Rolanda rolled her eyes. "He was there to visit Min, and when Poppy found him, he used almost all of his magic to give me this face. It's really complicated transfiguration, and I owe Albus my life."

Her brother's subsequent actions stunned Minerva.

Callum rose from his chair, almost robotically, and walked over to Albus. He hauled the powerful wizard up by his forearms and clasped his back, hugging him, trapping Minerva awkwardly between the men's legs. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse. "Thank you. Thank you for saving her."

"It was my pleasure, Callum. Truly. I'm just happy I could be there to help." Albus patted Callum's back.

"Albus," Callum choked, "you can't understand what this means. It's like getting my little sister back."

Minerva teared up at that, knowing just how true those words were. Rowena had grown up with them, and losing her would have been insurmountable after losing Diana. Guiltily, Minerva realized that she had never truly felt the double loss like her brother had, and she wondered if she had judged his protectiveness of her too harshly.

"You're welcome, Callum. It's all right." Albus smiled. "All's well that ends well."

To her surprise, Callum stepped back from the hug and patted her on the head. "And you knew this whole time, eh Minnie?"

"I was at the same hospital when I was injured near the end of the war," Minerva shrugged. "Poppy thought it was important for me to have some morale to keep my spirits up."

"When you came back and ran into Andrew and me," Aidan remembered slowly, "you said you needed to talk to Albus. Is this what that was all about?"

"Yes," Minerva breathed, relieved that this secret was out in the open. She caught Callum's realizing smirk out of the corner of her eye. "I had heard what he had done to save her, and I wanted to thank him and make sure he was okay."

"Anyways, enough with the sentimentality," Rolanda called, injecting some levity back into the room. "I'm here, and now you all know. Unfortunately, we can't tell anyone else. Otherwise, poor Albus here may be hauled before the Ministry."

"Of course." Lucy nodded. "That makes sense. While I appreciate Albus' work," she shot him a grateful look, "I highly doubt it's strictly legal. So, on a lighter note, your chosen name is Rolanda?"

"It is, but to make it easier for everyone, I think that everyone should just call me Ro," Rolanda laughed. "That way, it's the same nickname, and no one has to wrap their minds around anything wild."

Minerva let out a sigh of relief. "Thank Merlin. I've been walking on eggshells for the last nine months, not knowing what to do."

"You could have just asked, Gryffindor," Ro teased.

"And you could have just told us that to start with, Ravenclaw," Minerva shot back, unable to stop the grin spreading across her face.

"So, what do you do for work, Ro?" Callum inquired, testing out the familiar nickname. "Do you even have any records? How do people know you didn't just pop out of thin air?"

"Albus helped us out with all of that." Albus received yet another thankful smile from Ro. "He arranged a meeting with Dippet so that I could sit my NEWTs again. It wasn't exactly fun," Ro snorted, "but I performed just as well. Albus told Dippet I had lost my memory during the war, and he fabricated a birth certificate for me, took me to Ollivander's, all that jazz. With Albus vouching for me, I could join the Unspeakables again if I wanted, but I thought I might try out for the Harpies. I hated being chained to a desk, but I don't think I have the stomach for missions. Not anymore. So," she grinned, "I'm studying up on Quidditch and practicing a lot. Try-outs are in a couple of weeks, and I want to give the lifestyle a try."

"So that's what you meant by catching up on life," Albus laughed. "That's quite the way to seize this new opportunity."

"I mean it," Ro said resolutely. "A near-death experience changes you. I may not want to go to war again anytime soon, but I do want to keep adventuring. Besides, Poppy here can fix me right up anytime I take a bludger to the head like our dear Min."

Poppy rolled her eyes. "Let's not test that theory anytime soon, all right?"

"Ro, I've never even seen you on a broom," Aidan interjected. "Can you even fly?"

"Better than you, Scrimgeour. Don't forget, I too was raised in a pure-blood family with parents that put me on a broom before I could walk. I may have chosen other extra-curriculars while at Hogwarts, but I certainly know how to fly."

"Get me tickets to your first match, and I won't mention it again," Aidan promised.

"Deal." Ro looked them all over. "You have no idea how wonderful it is to be around all of you again. I missed you."

"We missed you," Minerva corrected. "You all know I'm not one for sentimentality, but it's wonderful to feel like our little family is whole again."

"It really is," Poppy agreed. "It really— is that an owl trying to get in the window, Lucy? Are you expecting mail?"

"No," Callum frowned, his hand on Lucy's shoulder, a silent cue for her to remain seated with Iolanthe. "I don't recognize the owl, either."

"I highly doubt an owl is going to blow us all up, Cal." Lucy turned to her daughter. "Iolanthe, your daddy is so over-protective."

"You'd think we hadn't just fought a bloody war," Callum muttered, opening the window. "It's addressed to you, Aidan."

"To me? No one knows I'm here." Aidan took the letter from Callum and ripped it open, quickly scanning the contents. "Oh, dear. Scarlet is mad at me."

"Why?" Minerva asked, taking the letter from him and reading it for herself. She scoffed, "So Scarlet is mad at you for choosing to be here with us today and instead of her family? Didn't you tell her this was important?"

"I did," Aidan whined, "but apparently, she thinks she should be more important. Albus, sometimes I think you have it right."

"Excuse me? I have what right?" Albus asked, bemused.

"The bachelor lifestyle," Aidan moaned. "You can do what you want, when you want, teach by day, save the world by night, that sort of thing."

Minerva felt Albus' eyes shift down to her for a moment. "I suppose being a bachelor does have its perks, yes. I'm sure love would be much more fulfilling, Aidan. Even if Scarlet isn't right for you, I'm sure you'll find someone if you want to."

"I can't break up with her over the holiday season, can I? That's surely bad form. Actually," Aidan perked up, "you broke up with Michael at the same time, Min! If you can do it, I can."

"Thank you for bringing that up," Minerva said hotly. "Aidan, why don't you bring Scarlet over, like you planned? That way, we can all meet her again and help you see if it's worth it. And if we don't think you're a good match, we'll tell you."

"Ooooh, Min's turned harsh in my time away," Ro laughed wildly. "Glad to see you've picked up a little bit of my spunk in my absence."

Minerva threw one of Iolanthe's toys at her friend, causing everyone to laugh. The group enjoyed their time together until eventually, one by one, they left, leaving Albus, Minerva, and Callum and Lucy.

"Now, Albus, are you on your way out? I want to say my goodbye before putting this little one down to bed." Lucy looked inquiringly over at Albus, bouncing a squirming Iolanthe.

"Actually, Lucy, I'd like to intrude on your hospitality for a moment longer," Albus responded.

"All right, give me one second to put her down, and I'll be right out." Lucy smiled and headed in the direction of Iolanthe's bedroom.

"Albus, what's going on?" Callum asked. "Is everything okay?"

"No," Albus sighed. "No, I need to rectify something."

"Albus?" Minerva whispered.

"It's all right, my dear. Nothing to worry about." Albus reassured her with a tight smile.

Lucy re-entered the room. "What did you want to tell us, Albus?"

"Please," Albus gestured to the couch, "sit down." Once they were all comfortable, he began, "I must offer my utmost apologies to Lucy. I have not been completely candid with you, and in order to cover for me, both Callum and Minerva have been forced to deceive you."

"Deceive me?" Lucy asked, disbelieving. "What in Merlin's name are you talking about, Albus? Cal, Min?" Her head whipped between the room's other three occupants. "Please, did something happen?" Lucy's tone was almost desperate.

"It's nothing life-threatening," Callum said slowly, taking her hand in his. "Are you sure you want to do this, Albus?"

"I owe it to Minerva to be honest. She has shown me that I need to be a better man than I have been. Than I have been willing to be."

"Albus..." Minerva trailed, her eyes searching his. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, my dear." He kissed her forehead. "I can only apologize for not doing it sooner."

"Wait a moment." Lucy shook her head. "This sounds like Albus is your mystery boyfriend, Min. Is that what I'm hearing?"

"That's what you're hearing," Minerva grinned, unable to stop herself.

"No wonder you lost your mind," Lucy laughed, bumping her shoulder against Callum's. "Your Head of House dating your younger sister? I would have reacted the same way."

"Yeah, it was quite a shock," Callum grumbled. "I don't particularly want to relive that moment, and I'm sure these two don't want to, either."

"I'd prefer it if we didn't," Minerva responded quickly, earning a smile from Lucy.

"Thank you for telling me," Lucy said. "I appreciate your trust, and you obviously have our word that this doesn't leave the room. I presume you have your reasons for not telling the entire group today."

"Yes, what are your reasons, Albus?" Minerva laughed. "I'm certainly not complaining, but I am curious."

"I thought keeping it in the family at first would be prudent," Albus started slowly. "This allows Lucy and Callum to grow comfortable viewing me as your partner. Hopefully we have their acceptance, and then we can move on to the rest of your friends."

"I won't lie, it's certainly a surprise," Lucy admitted, "but Min always has my support."

"I love you, Luce." Minerva rose and hugged her sister-in-law. "Thank you." She sat down beside Lucy and turned to Albus. "So, we start small?"

"That was the thought," Albus confirmed. "Besides, I didn't want to steal Ro's thunder. Today was her day, hers and Poppy's. And after Aidan's outburst about his problems with Scarlet and his sudden appreciation for the bachelor lifestyle, I thought it would be best to go easy on him today."

"Probably the right choice," Callum agreed. "We'll keep it in the family for now, and you can think about telling more people once you've decided you're comfortable with us."

"Perfect," Albus declared. "Now, if it's all right with her, I'd love to take Minerva out for dinner before I return to the castle."

"That would be lovely, Albus," Minerva answered, blushing slightly.

"I'll go get our coats." Albus stood and left the room.

As he left, Lucy whispered, "Min, I want to confirm: this didn't go on while you were a student, did it?"

"No, of course not," Minerva lied. "Shortly after, but not during."

"Okay, good," Lucy said decisively. "Then I like this. I like it a lot."

"You do?"

"Yes," Lucy laughed. "I think he's your match in all the ways that matter. And," she added, "he's clearly smitten."

Minerva smiled and stood as Albus came back. "Yes, I think he is."

After they had said their goodbyes and were strolling outside, Minerva felt the need to thank him again.

"This truly means the world to me, Albus. Thank you for the early Christmas present." Minerva rubbed his arm lovingly. "I know how hard this was for you. I appreciate it so very much."

"It truly is the least I could do. I'm doing my best to be who you deserve. I let you down once in a terrible way. I won't do that again."

"Albus," she said hesitantly, not wanting to bring the mood down, "let's not make promises that are hard to keep. Let's just enjoy this step forward, and let the future bring what it will."

"Speaking of the future, we should have a conversation—"

"Albus, every time you say that phrase, you should know I want to hex you in a very uncomfortable place. Say what you mean, and say it plainly."

He stopped walking, taking a moment to look into her eyes. She was no longer the student willing to learn from him; instead, she was his equal in every way. "All I wanted to say is that I'm ready to talk about the future, and what happens after your mastery. Whenever you're ready, of course. If you wish."

"Look at you, all tongue-tied," Minerva teased. "I can't claim to know why you've had these epiphanies of late, but since they're working in my favour, I won't complain."

"Good." He looked around and gave her a quick peck. "I must say, I feel rather free with Lucy knowing. Are double dates in our future?"

Minerva could only laugh.