A/N: I hope you enjoy this one. For reference, the last chapter took place in November 1958.

For the disclaimer, please see the prologue.

Chapter Fifty-Five: August 1959

Minerva knocked on Albus' door. He had asked her to call on him at some point after lunch; not knowing what it was regarding, Minerva had turned up as soon as the midday meal had been cleared away.

"Enter!" Albus called. He smiled gently when he saw her. "Minerva, please sit down."

She shut the door behind her and joined him at his desk. While they were nowhere near as friendly as they had been before their renewed and short-lived affair, things had cooled considerably between them since Isobel had passed.

"So, Albus," Minerva said, "why did you need to speak with me?"

"Simply put, I'm in a bit of a bind, my dear, and I'm hoping you can help me." Albus rubbed at his temples wearily. "Melody has only just informed me that she will be fully retiring, effective immediately."

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Why in Merlin's name is she telling you three weeks before the term begins?"

"That," Albus sighed, "is a very good question. She implied that I should have seen this coming—and perhaps I should have realized it, but I thought that, after being colleagues for so long, she would give me the courtesy of more than three weeks' notice to find a new Deputy and a new Head of Gryffindor."

"I would have thought so, too," Minerva murmured. She felt a prickling of alarm. "Albus, tell me you're not asking me to do both jobs."

He shook his head. "No. I've asked you to do that before, and you wisely said no. I didn't think it would be fair to ask you that again. I have learned from my mistakes."

She thought she sensed an undercurrent of sorrow through their bond, but she ignored it. "So, which position are you about to coerce me into taking?"

Albus stared at her. "Minerva, you have a brilliant knack for handling my administrative duties, but I rather thought it was obvious. You are the best—and dare I say only—choice for Gryffindor Head. Besides," he blushed, "Athena said you may like the excuse of living in the castle, now that she and Dalton will be starting here next month."

"You spoke with Athena about this?" Minerva asked, amused.

"Well, I try to involve her in Hogwarts business as much as is appropriate," Albus responded awkwardly. "I don't tell her anything she shouldn't be privy to, but she is so curious about the school. Last night, Athena asked me who all of the heads were, and when I said I needed to find a new professor to be Head of Gryffindor, she suggested you."

"Ah, so these marching orders come from Athena."

"Her argument was far more emotional, my dear. She suggested you because she thought it made sense for Dalton's mother to be their official "parent" while here at school—Athena is quite certain that both she and Dalton will end up in Gryffindor, much like us. Of course, her argument conveniently bypasses the fact that she will have me—her actual parent—here, but alas."

Minerva was touched by Athena's thoughtfulness. "And your argument?"

"You have a knack for the administrative duties that come with the job, the students respect you, you have tenure, and truthfully, I can't say that any of our fellow Gryffindors on staff share all or any of the same qualities."

Minerva looked at him shrewdly, recognizing the tactic. "Why, so I can take over for your new Deputy in a few years when you inevitably tire them out?"

"I know that this aligns with the route you suggested I take with Melody, but I don't know that Filius is one to tire. At least, not in quite the same way. He's not nearly as close to retirement."

"You're asking Filius?"

"Do you disapprove?"

"Oh, no, not at all," Minerva responded hastily. "I think he's a brilliant choice, in all honesty. Did he accept?"

"He did." Albus nodded. "Just before lunch."

"Can I really do it?" Minerva asked softly, more to herself than to him. "Can I really be a parent to these children?"

"My dear, you already are." Albus reached across the table and patted her hand gently. "Now, you'll just be first in line. I'll admit that sometimes the extra detention duties and late-night noise complaints can be bothersome, but the benefits far outweigh any negatives that come with the job. And it is wonderful living in the castle—something I'm sure you agree with."

"Yes, of course. I loved living here." Minerva smiled. "And I must say, Athena's argument is actually quite compelling. It would be nice to live in the castle with Dalton here full-time. The Manor won't feel lonely, and it will be reassuring to be close to him, even if he isn't in Gryffindor."

"So you'll take it?" Albus confirmed. He was half-thrilled and half-relieved. "Thank you so very much, Minerva. I'll have your new contract sent to your new rooms later this afternoon."

"Where are my new rooms, out of curiosity?"

Albus paused, then said, "Well, they're the rooms I had while I was Head. That won't be too awkward, will it?"

"No, it's fine." Minerva smiled softly. "I do have some good memories there."

"I'm glad to know you don't hold me in terrible esteem."

"Of course I don't, Albus."

"Now, on to more pleasant things." Albus leaned back in his chair, steepled his hands, and grinned. "Do you think our children will end up in Gryffindor?"

"I truthfully haven't given it much thought," Minerva admitted. "I've been more concerned with making sure Dalton had his wand, books, robes, et cetera."

"But?"

"I wouldn't mind Dalton being a Gryffindor."

Albus laughed. "Of course you wouldn't mind. As the new Head, you have a right to hope that strong students are sorted into your house."

"I do try to be impartial, Albus. I suppose, seeing as I was a Hatstall, I wouldn't be surprised if Dalton were a Ravenclaw. Aidan was the very embodiment of a Gryffindor, though, so I think that's the most likely outcome." Minerva thought for a moment, remembering a long-ago conversation. "Weren't you a Hatstall for all four houses? Where on earth do you think Athena will end up?"

"Honestly," Albus groaned, "I have no idea."

"She's certainly precocious, and she has a knack for getting herself into trouble. Athena could go anywhere."

"I don't particularly care where she goes either way, but I believe she'd be happier if she were sorted into the same house as Dalton."

"If our children are separated, we'll have a hell of a time keeping them apart," Minerva laughed. "They like to get into mischief together. Although," she pondered, "if they are in different houses, at least two houses will be negatively affected by their schemes. They won't have an entire house against them."

"Please don't tell me you believe our children will cause us consternation."

"Albus, have you met our children?" Minerva asked, amused. "They're troublemakers. They mean well, but they certainly have caused us our fair share of grief."

"That's true. I'll even admit to deserving some of it." A careful look crossed Albus' face. "I must confess that I am nervous for them to arrive here."

Minerva frowned. "Why?"

"I don't know how to keep our parentage a secret from the rest of the school. I know our children don't share our last names, but they certainly look a lot like us."

"I would be lying if I said I didn't share your concerns," Minerva admitted. "I've given this a lot of thought the past few months."

"And what has your brilliant mind come up with?"

Minerva scoffed. "Nothing brilliant, I can assure you. Instead, I am focusing on the fact that Dalton and I mainly share the same eyes and hair, much like you and Athena. The students won't be able to discern our relationship merely based on that, and I don't think our students pay much attention to our personalities. Our colleagues may guess at it, but we can cross that bridge if we come to it. Besides, fortunately for you," she added, smirking, "your hair is mainly grey now."

"Oh, how you wound me, my dear," Albus chuckled. "As always, you have a point. There's nothing to do but hope for the best."

"I know you're not very adept at doing nothing, but we'll manage. We always do."

"Quite right. I have another question for you: are you escorting Dalton to King's Cross?"

"Of course," Minerva responded. "He's eleven. I'm not letting him wander around the train station by himself when he's never experienced the barrier before. Why?"

Albus sighed. "Much to Athena's dismay, I can't leave the school the morning term starts. I have a meeting with the Board of Governors. It happens every year, otherwise I would move it. Would you mind—"

"Albus, you know Athena is always welcome to come with me." Minerva rolled her eyes. "There's no need to ask the question. And before you ask, I will be glamoured, so I highly doubt anyone will recognize me."

"No, your skills are rather good." Albus grinned. "Do you have anywhere to be right away, or would you be able to indulge me in a chess match?"

"Is this a peace offering, Albus?"

"Perhaps."

"Then get the board. I do hope you've lost some of your skill in your old age."

"I could let you win if it would make you feel better."

"Don't you dare, Albus. Don't you dare."

"Athena, stop!" Dalton exclaimed, pinching his friend's arm. "We have everything! If you keep going through our bags, the Muggles will notice!"

"Dalton." Minerva whirled around and looked at the children, preventing their further passage through King's Cross. "You know better than to use that word in public. And Athena, darling, he does have a point. We can't risk anything falling out of your bag that shouldn't be seen."

"Fine, Miranda," Athena said, giggling. The children had laughed endlessly when they had caught sight of Minerva with her shorter, redder hair.

"I know you're excited, but we have to get to the platform, all right? Come on." Minerva led them to the platform and stopped them again. "Do you remember what I told you?"

"Run straight through, don't stop," Athena and Dalton chorused together.

"Right." Minerva took a deep breath. "Which one of you first?"

"I'll go," Athena said decidedly. "You'll tell me when, right?"

"Yes. And remember, wait for us on the other side. Don't go wandering off. It'll be busy."

"Yes, Mom." Athena rolled her eyes. "Okay, I'm ready."

Minerva took a look around. "Go, quickly."

Athena nodded and trotted through the platform, vanishing before their eyes.

"Woah." Dalton's mouth hung open. "Mama?"

"Yes?"

"Are we able to go through together?" He swallowed and looked at her anxiously. "I don't want to get stuck."

Minerva smiled and stroked his cheek. "Of course. Are you ready?"

He nodded determinedly. "Yup."

Together, they ran through the barrier, and caught up with Athena on the other side.

"What took you so long?" Athena exclaimed excitedly. "Look at all the people."

The platform was full of the usual hustle and bustle as students and families said goodbye.

"The train is so cool," Dalton said, in awe.

"Yes, it's rather special. Let's get your luggage on there and then I'll send you on your way." Minerva knew that she would be at Hogwarts with them—she would even arrive earlier than they would—but this was a big moment for the children.

She tried not to think about the children growing up and shook her head clear as they put their luggage on board. "Everything on?" When the children nodded, she pulled them off to the side. "I want to talk to you two quickly."

"Um," Dalton said uncertainly, "is everything okay?"

"Yes, darling. I just wanted to remind you that while the world cannot know who your parents are, you know you can always come to us, yes? Albus and I will be there if you need us. We may be your Headmaster and professor now, but we're still your parents."

"Yup." Athena nodded. "We know."

"Good." Minerva checked her watch. "I think we best get you two on the train."

The children practically dragged her back to the train. Minerva gave them both a hug, holding on to them for as long as she could. "Remember, you'll see us at the table for your sorting tonight."

"Right. You told us not to wave," Dalton said, nodding. "Just in case anyone figures it out."

Minerva's heart broke. "I am so sorry about that, but we'll be sure to flash you a quick smile, all right?"

"Yes, Mama." Dalton hugged her again. "I'll miss you."

"Dalton, we'll see her tonight." Athena rolled her eyes. "Come on, let's go!" She took Dalton by the hand and pulled him onto the steps. "Bye!"

Dalton looked back at his mother and smiled warily. "Bye."

Minerva watched them sit down on the train and wave to her from the window. She stayed until long after the train had gone.

"Oh, darling. I'll miss you too."

When Minerva had returned to Hogwarts, Albus was waiting for her in her office, bouncing anxiously.

"So?" he asked as soon as he saw her. "Are they all right? Did every go smoothly?"

"Yes, Albus. They're on the train, happily on their way to us." Minerva flashed a weak smile, but he saw through it.

"Min?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Minerva said, waving her hand. To her annoyance, tears started to make their way down her face. "I don't know why I'm crying. As Athena pointed out, I'll see them again tonight."

"Oh, my daughter has a way with words," Albus chuckled lowly. "It's reasonable to be upset, Minerva. This is a big chapter in their lives. It's a reminder that they're no longer little."

"You seem to be handling yourself well."

"That's because I spent my day in a tedious meeting, and you had the emotional task of saying goodbye to our children," Albus pointed out. "Come here."

She was too emotionally exhausted to protest, and she allowed herself to walk over to him, where he wrapped his arms around her.

"We'll see them in what, three hours? Before you know it, you'll be teaching them Transfiguration and docking house points when they act too mischievously."

Minerva groaned into his shoulder. "They're going to be such troublemakers."

"Undoubtedly," Albus laughed. "Athena is far too curious for her own good, and Dalton is his father's son and his uncle's nephew."

"We can only hope they're in Gryffindor and not Hufflepuff. Iolanthe would be a good influence—she has Lucy's temperament. But Aoife? Aoife is Callum's daughter, no doubt about it."

"She didn't cause too much trouble in her first year," Albus remarked.

Minerva stepped back so she could look at him incredulously. "Albus, Aoife locked our dear librarian out of the library."

"Yes, that was a bit heavy-handed for a Hufflepuff, wasn't it?" Albus mused. "Ah, well, no one got hurt."

"It was still a horrible trick—it was right at the beginning of exam season. She's lucky that Horace found her; her punishment would have been much more severe if I had discovered her."

"I'm glad it was Horace. It would have been hard for her to have her aunt come down on her like the hand of God."

"Well, then she shouldn't pull pranks at school!"

"Calm down, my dear," Albus soothed. He pulled her back into his arms. "You're far too worked up."

"I don't quite know how to settle my nerves for the next little while," Minerva admitted. "Do you have any extra work I can do before the students arrive?"

Albus thought for a moment. "It's quite menial, but you could help me catch up on my correspondence. I don't know how fun it is, but it would be something to do."

"I'll confess the thought doesn't thrill me like it did when I was sixteen, but right now, any distraction is a welcome one."

"That's settled, then. We can head up to my office and attempt to get work done while we wait for the sorting ceremony."

Three and a half hours later, Minerva was seated to Albus' left at the feast. Her leg was anxiously bouncing as she waited to catch a glimpse of Dalton and Athena.

"Minerva," Albus murmured, "you need to calm down before you knock the table over."

"I know, but I'm nervous!" Minerva hissed. "How are you coping?"

"I'm not. I've merely had a lot of experience schooling my features at monotonous, never-ending Wizengamot sessions," Albus responded. "Would you like some more water? You seem to have gone through your entire goblet already."

"Oh, all right," Minerva said, waving her hand. She suddenly clutched Albus' arm. "Look! They're here!"

"See? Look, they're right there at the front of the group, together. And Minerva, remember—we don't have a public excuse to be nervous, so please, for the love of Merlin, keep your leg still."

"Right." Minerva put her hand on her thigh to keep it from moving. She forced herself to concentrate on the unfortunate truth that she had to look like an impartial professor. "Albus?"

"Yes?"

"I'm allowed to clap a little extra for the Gryffindor students now, right? I am the new Head, after all."

He smiled, amused. "Yes. I can't imagine anyone could find a problem with that."

They watched together until, finally, their wait came to an end.

"Scrimgeour, Dalton!" Filius called.

Minerva held her breath as her son warily but bravely walked up to the dais. Dalton looked at her, and she gave him a slight smile. She held her breath as Filius placed the Hat on his head. After what seemed like a very long time, Minerva turned to Albus. "Is it just me, or is this taking forever?"

"Not just you." Albus shook his head. He uttered his next words softly. "We're approaching the Hatstall mark."

"Oh, Merlin..." Minerva looked around. Sure enough, her colleagues were wearing various levels of shock on their faces. "Come on, Dalton."

"Well, he's officially joined our unofficial Hatstall club," Albus murmured after a moment. "I wonder what the Hat is debating."

"This is torture," Minerva whispered.

Finally, the Hat opened its mouth and shouted, "Gryffindor!"

Minerva exhaled deeply and clapped heartily as Dalton was welcomed by Iolanthe at the Gryffindor table.

"You must be happy," Albus laughed, clapping with her.

"I'm happy that my wait is over." She looked at him pointedly. "One down, one to go."

"Quite right." Albus swallowed. "I feel like my throat is dry."

"That'll be the nerves," Minerva said, patting his hand gently.

Albus wanted to retort, but he knew they were skating on thin ice as it was, given that they were surrounded by colleagues. As patiently as he could, he waited until Filius called, "Williams, Athena!"

Minerva caught Albus wince out of the corner of her eye. She knew he still regretted that Athena couldn't carry his own name, and that regret had turned bitter after Violet's disappearance. "Albus..."

"It's fine." He leaned over the table imperceptibly. "Let's see what happens."

After four and a half minutes, the bewildered parents shared a look.

"You have got to be kidding me. There's no way..." Minerva murmured, trailing off as she watched Athena fidget on the stool.

"I feel like if anyone could find a way, it would be these two," Albus responded grimly.

This time, Minerva looked at her watch. "Well, she's one of us."

"I'm not sure I'm happy about that."

"There are worse things." She nudged him. "Look, I think the Hat is ready."

Once the Hat had yelled, "Gryffindor!", and Athena had run off to give Dalton a hug, Albus and Minerva shared a smile.

After the feast, Minerva happily retired to her rooms. She was looking forward to a relaxing evening with a good book, a warm blanket, and a glass of wine. It had been a stressful, tiring day, and she wanted a good night's rest before the first day of classes.

Unfortunately for Minerva, her son had other plans.

When she heard a knock on her door at half-past eleven, she stifled a groan. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities for a first-year student to be crying on the first night. As Head, she understood that taking care of her Gryffindors was her responsibility, even if the opportunity arose at an unfortunate hour.

Minerva opened the door and her mouth dropped open. "What are you two doing here?"

Athena and Dalton stood in front of her, looking somewhat nervous but determined.

"We needed to talk to you," Dalton whispered. "It's important."

"How did you get here?" Minerva hissed, pulling them inside. "You're not supposed to be walking around the castle this late at night!"

"We asked the Fat Lady where your private quarters were," Athena shrugged. "It wasn't hard. You know, you really should have told us where your rooms were. In case of an emergency."

"Your rooms are cool, Mama," Dalton said, looking around. "They're a lot bigger than our dorm rooms."

"I should hope so, seeing as I'm a professor," Minerva responded drily. "Now, why are you out of bed this late? I should really be deducting house points."

"You wouldn't take points away from us on our first night," Athena challenged. "That'd be mean."

"I'll take house points from you if you deserve it, whether it's mean or not," Minerva said, a hint of steel in her voice. "But in this one case, you are correct. I'd never take house points away from a first-year on their first night."

"Can we have hot chocolate?" Dalton asked hopefully. Minerva turned to find him wrapped in her blanket on her couch. "This castle is cold."

"Yes, I suppose." Minerva chuckled. She knew she was their professor now, but these two were her weakness. "What are you here to talk about? Should I get your father?"

"Sure!" Athena shrugged and bounced over to Dalton. "Hey, share the blanket!"

"You're not going to tell me why you're here?"

"To see you!"

"To talk about our sorting!" They both answered at the same time.

"All right." Minerva rolled her eyes. She sent a Patronus to Albus, asking him to come to her rooms and let himself in. Then, she magically whipped up some steaming mugs of hot chocolate—three with whipped cream for Albus and the kids, one without for her—and sat them in front of the wayward children.

"Comfortable?" she asked as she brought over some napkins.

"Yes, thank you, Mama," Dalton said sincerely. He kissed her cheek, making Minerva's heart melt.

She heard the door open and, assuming it was Albus, she settled into one of her chairs.

"Minerva? Why on earth did you need me to come down here at this late hour?" Albus' jaw dropped as he saw the children on the couch. "Is everything all right?"

"Our children," Minerva snorted, "snuck out of bed on their very first night because they needed to talk to us."

Albus' mustache twitched as he simply looked at them. "This had better not become a regular occurrence, you two."

"It won't, Dad," Athena laughed. "Get your hot chocolate and sit down."

Minerva stifled a laugh as Albus stared wondrously at his daughter before doing exactly what she had instructed.

"All right, now that Albus is here, what did you want to talk to us about? You mentioned your sortings?" Minerva looked at them expectantly.

"Why did I get to choose where the Hat put me?" Dalton asked.

"And why did it try to put me in Slytherin?" Athena wrinkled her nose. "That would have been terrible."

Albus and Minerva exchanged glances. Finally, Albus sighed, "Athena, you know all four houses are equal and have their merits."

"Dad, they live in the dungeons. Why would I want to live there?"

"It doesn't matter because you don't have to," Minerva said firmly. "The Hat couldn't choose between Slytherin and Gryffindor for you then, Athena?"

Athena nodded. "It said I was a "dangerous mix of cunning and bravery." What does that mean?"

"It means that you're brave, and you have a knack for getting what you want," Albus responded carefully, doing his best not to soil his daughter's opinion of Slytherin any further. "It wanted to put you in Slytherin?"

"Yup. It thought I would do better there. But then I asked where else it thought I would do well, and that took a while. Finally, it said I would do well in Gryffindor, and I said I wanted to go there! I wanted to have Dalton in my house and have Min as my Head," Athena finished, a smile on her face. "I wanted to be with my family."

"That's very touching, and that means a lot to me," Minerva said gently. She turned her attention to her son. "Dalton, honey? What about you?"

"The Hat couldn't choose between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Eventually, it got tired of thinking about it and asked me to choose. I wanted to be like you and Dad, so I chose Gryffindor."

Minerva smiled. "Come here." She opened her arms and waited for Dalton to run to her. She knew he was getting older, and she wanted to hang onto these moments for as long as she could. "As long as you both are happy, we don't care where you're sorted. Right, Albus?"

He flashed her a look as if to say you didn't think that six hours ago, but Albus agreed verbally. "Yes, of course. We love you no matter what."

It was rather sweet, Minerva decided, to see Albus grow into the father she had always known he could be.

"Do we have to go back?" Dalton breathed a puff of air into Minerva's neck. "Could we stay here tonight?"

Minerva looked at Albus over his head. "I don't know, darling. It's your first night. You really should be with the rest of the students in the dorms."

Albus nodded in agreement. "How could we explain your absence to your classmates in the morning?"

"Dad, please," Athena begged. "One night here." Her eyes lit up. "I bet you and Min could transfigure this couch into a bed!"

"And you could wake us up early so we get back to our rooms on time! Everyone saw us go to bed, so even if they see us in the common room in the morning, they'll think we just got up really early!" Dalton chimed in, grinning at his mother.

"Which we will have done, if you take us back early enough!" Athena said eagerly. "Come on! It's late—if we go back now, we'll probably wake everyone up."

"I would like to know how you two left your dorms without people noticing," Albus added.

"We'll tell you if you let us stay!"

"Athena, you can't just impose yourself on Minerva's time and space. It has been a very long day. You can't expect her to just host you because you don't want to sleep in your dorms." Albus' voice was firm, but Minerva thought she could sense a smidgeon of sadness. She knew that he would have liked Athena to go to his rooms, not her own.

"If you stayed, Dad, then Minerva wouldn't be responsible for both of us alone!"

Albus paused. "I'm not going to encroach on Minerva's privacy. And quite frankly, neither should you."

"Albus..." Minerva sighed. "Perhaps we should just let them stay. We can enlarge the couch and wake up early to have them back to their dorms on time. It's late now, and I don't think they're leaving. But," she turned fiercely to look between the children, "do not even think that this will become a regular occurrence, do you understand me?"

"Yes, Mama!"

Athena grinned. "This is awesome."

"All right, this is how it's going to work. Albus and I will get everything ready out here." Minerva Conjured some pyjamas for the children. "Dalton, you can use the bathroom in my bedroom, and Athena, you can use the one out here." She waited for the children to leave before turning to Albus. "Can you get some pillows and sheets? I'll make this couch bigger."

"Min, I don't want to intrude."

"You're not." Minerva looked at him earnestly. "Our children are joined at the hip, and they want to spend time with their parents. I hope they don't make a habit out of dropping in unannounced and after curfew, but I would be lying if I said I didn't need this, too. Besides, it's not as if we're sleeping together, Albus."

"I know, but...but what if someone sees me leaving in the morning?" Albus whispered.

"Take the children with you and wake up extremely early. I don't much enjoy rumours, but an easy option is to say that we had to take some disciplinary action with them."

"This is going to be a long seven years of lying, isn't it?"

"Probably," Minerva said sympathetically. "Don't sound too sad—all this secrecy was your idea."

"Min—"

"Albus, I'm kidding." She bit her lip. "Well, it was your idea, but I don't begrudge you for it."

"Well, that's a relief," Albus muttered. "Are we going to talk about the fact that our children were both Hatstalls?"

She looked at him. "We can, but I don't think any harm will come from it. You and I turned out just fine. All it did was cause our colleagues to take special note of our children. Other than in the case of Horace's club," Minerva snorted, "I don't think that's a bad thing. I also don't think the students cared all too much. Now, be a dear and make some pillows before the children get back."

Fifteen minutes later, the four of them were in pyjamas and under a large, warm duvet on a very large couch. Minerva and Albus were separated by the children between them, and Dalton took the opportunity to snuggle into his mother's arms.

"This is awesome," Dalton whispered. "We should have done this before. It's a super cool sleepover, and it feels—"

"Like family," Athena finished for him. "We're a family."