A/N: As always, I appreciate your engagement with this story. For reference, the last chapter took place in August 1966.

For the disclaimer, please see the prologue.

Chapter Sixty-Four: October 1966, Pt. I

This year, Minerva's birthday fell on a Tuesday. Since it was the first birthday they'd be celebrating as a new and improved couple, Albus wanted to do something special for her. He wondered if she would like a family gathering the weekend after her actual birthday to celebrate.

"This seems like a bit much for a forty-first birthday, but why not?" Minerva laughed when Albus eventually worked up the nerve to ask her. "It would be lovely to spend time with the entire family, especially before Iolanthe and Charlus return to France.

"There's only one flaw in your plan: where do you expect us all to go? And will we be able to escape this castle?" Minerva rose an eyebrow. "We are responsible for the well-being of everyone at this school, after all."

"I've asked Filius, and he is happy to watch the castle for an evening."

"Oh, so does Filius know about us as well?" Minerva felt a teasing smile spread across her lips. "Are you telling people about our relationship without my consent?"

"My dear, you wound me." Albus smiled. "I said that both Dalton and Athena would be in attendance for your birthday, and he thought I would like to see my daughter. He offered to take over the wards before I even had the chance to ask."

"And where do you propose we go?" Minerva looked at him expectantly. "The Manor seems like the only option that comes to mind, but somehow I sense that you had something special in mind. Please keep in mind, Albus, that I will not be Glamouring for the purposes of spending time with my family—and for my birthday, no less."

"I had an idea. Do you remember the restaurant we went to in Wales?"

"The one that Charlotte's family owns?" Minerva asked. "Of course I do. I also remember that that night didn't end particularly well for us."

Albus stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him. "Think of this as a way to have a redo of our date—without the time magic that Callum and the Unspeakables are working on. Besides, Ro and Poppy still have their house in Wales. We can all gather there, and then head to the restaurant together. It is a wonderful restaurant," he added, tempting her.

"The food was good. Let's hope the service is better this time, shall we?"

"I'll procure us a private room—even if the server does know who we are, at least our identities will only be revealed in front of our family," he promised. Albus' eyes lit up. "Is that a yes?"

Minerva laughed. "Yes." She pecked him on the lips. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you for thinking of it. You've given me a reason to look forward to the weekend."

"Dalton and Callum both told me that Saturday would work best for them. Does that work for you?"

"Albus, you're planning a gathering in honour of my birthday. I can make whatever day work."

"That's good. I already confirmed the time and date with the family," Albus confessed.

Minerva patted his chest affectionately. "Of course, you have, my love. So, who is coming to this little party of yours?"

"Athena, Dalton, Ro, Poppy, Callum, Lucy, Iolanthe, Charlus, and Aoife."

"Who is going to watch the Hospital Wing?"

"Poppy decided to use one of her vacation nights for the evening, so Horace will be on call," Albus replied, shrugging. "She said she didn't want to miss your birthday celebration."

"Well, that's kind of her."

"She also didn't trust Ro not to burn their house down if left there unattended," Albus added cheekily. "This way, we all win."

"It'll be a nice way to celebrate. And, unlike the customized Hogwarts breakfast, it's a celebration for which I do not have to wake up early."

Albus tightened his grip around her waist. "My dear, I have another wakeup planned for you on Tuesday."

"Oh, my love." Minerva cupped his cheek. "If you're planning on waking me up early for sex, you'd best make it worth my while."

"Isn't it always worth your while?"

Minerva simply smirked and walked away. "Make the arrangements, dear. I look forward to our trip to Wales."

Albus called after her. "Isn't it?"

Three days later, Albus woke Minerva with soft touches on her spine. "Happy birthday, my dear."

"Thank you," Minerva murmured into her pillow. "How early is it?"

"Quarter to five."

"A quarter to five?" Minerva looked up at him. "Merlin, Albus. You couldn't have waited until at least six?"

"You said I had to make the early morning worth it for you, my dear." Albus began to kiss his way down her back, mirroring where his hands had been. "I plan to make it very, very worth it."

"Do you mind if I just lie here?" Minerva sighed. "Or must I be an active participant?"

Albus answered her question by flipping her abruptly, causing her arms and legs to instinctively wrap around him.

"Al—" Minerva protested, laughing, but his hot mouth on hers quickly caused her to lose her train of thought.

Two hours later, Albus couldn't help but chuckle as Minerva lay strewn across his chest, panting. "And you said it wasn't always worth your while," he said proudly, smirking.

"My love, it is usually worth my while, but since you were planning on interrupting my sleep, I had to ensure my satisfaction." She looked up at him and grinned. "Well done, Professor Dumbledore."

Albus kissed the top of her head. "Have I exceeded your expectations?"

Minerva swatted his chest. "Oh, stop. Now, we really should get up, or we'll be late for breakfast."

Albus laughed as he watched her stand. "Aren't you happy the castle was able to connect our rooms? It cuts down on a lot of the travel time."

"Yes, Albus. Very thankful." Minerva pulled her robes from her closet. "You should get up, too. It wouldn't do to have the Headmaster absent from breakfast on a Tuesday."

When he didn't move, she sent a wet towel flying his way. "Hey!" Albus protested. "My beard's all wet!"

"You could join me in the shower," Minerva called from the bathroom. "Get it wet for a reason!"

Albus had never jumped out of bed so quickly.

When they had finally made it down to breakfast, Poppy approached Minerva at the table. "Happy birthday, dear."

"Thank you," Minerva said, smiling gently. "And thank you for your attendance this weekend."

"Oh, it's no trouble," Poppy replied, waving her hand. "We could use a night out with friends, and it will do us good to spend a night at our actual home."

"I still appreciate it. I couldn't think of a nicer gift."

"Wellll," Poppy said, elongating the word, "I do have a gift for you today."

"Poppy!" Minerva admonished. "You know I hate gifts—that's why this gathering was such a good idea. I prefer company, not material things."

"I'm aware." Poppy rolled her eyes. "Can you accept that I have a surprise for you during your free periods today?"

"My free periods?" Minerva frowned. "I have two free periods right after breakfast—do you mean you have a surprise for me now?"

"Yes," Poppy laughed. "Come with me to the Hospital Wing, please."

"Do you know anything about this?" Minerva hissed in Albus' ear as she stood up.

"I, like you, am completely in the dark. I look forward to hearing about it." Albus put a forkful of pancakes in his mouth and waved them off.

Minerva begrudgingly let Poppy lead her to the Hospital Wing. Her eyes widened as she saw they were heading directly for the private examination room. "Poppy, if this is your way of subjecting me to a physical on my birthday, be prepared for me to turn right around."

"Would you just hush?" Poppy groaned, exasperated. She held the door open. "Enter. Now."

Minerva rolled her eyes and entered the room. Her eyes lit up when she saw Athena sitting on the bed. "Darling! Is everything all right?"

"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if things were bad, would it?" Athena teased, laughing. "I'm fine. I'm due for one of my regular check-ups, and both Poppy and I thought it would be nice if you were here to hear the baby."

"Oh. I'm sorry, Poppy," Minerva whispered, suddenly feeling very guilty. "Are you sure, Athena? What about Dalton?"

Out of an abundance of caution and secrecy, Athena and Dalton had made the decision that, other than health-related news, no news would be shared about their baby.

"Dalton's at work and has given his blessing. Besides, I'm due to pop in what, six weeks?" Athena looked at Poppy, who nodded in confirmation. "At this point, I think it's a bit ridiculous to keep you from hearing the heartbeat."

"Does this mean you decided to let Poppy tell you the sex?" Minerva asked, sitting beside Athena and taking her hand.

"No." Athena shook her head. "Nothing else has changed—we just thought it would be nice for you to be included in this."

"Thank you," Minerva said softly. "Don't tell your father, but this is a much better gift than his gathering."

Athena laughed. "My lips are sealed. Now, Poppy, could you get on with this?"

Poppy nodded. She magically lifted Athena's robes over her baby bump and tapped her wand to Athena's belly.

"Oooh, the baby's kicking," Athena said. She took Minerva's hand and placed it on her stomach. "Do you feel that?"

"Yes," Minerva chuckled. She found herself tearing up. "I can't believe that's my grandchild."

"Well, you best get used to it," Poppy said, laughing. "I know you're still feeling sick, Athena, but it's not in vain. Everything looks brilliant."

"Oh, good," Athena breathed, clearly relieved. She beamed. "Min, you'll get a grandchild before Christmas and a great-niece or -nephew before Valentine's Day!"

"Truly, it is a bizarre feeling," Minerva muttered. "Your father is at a proper age to be a grandparent, but I still feel far too young."

"As Poppy said, you need to get used to it," Athena teased. "Is it heartbeat time, Poppy?"

"It can be." Poppy waved her wand, and suddenly, a tiny heartbeat could be heard emanating from Athena's stomach.

"This is very special," Minerva said, unable to keep the grin off her face. "The baby sounds very healthy."

"The baby is doing very well," Poppy said approvingly. "Nothing to worry about—nothing that I can see, anyway."

"I love it when you give me the all-clear." Athena exhaled. "I tend to get a bit nervous."

"That's understandable, darling." Minerva stroked Athena's hair. "I was always nervous when Poppy decided to poke and prod at me."

Athena laughed. "I've endured more enjoyable activities."

"I see how it is," Poppy grumbled good-naturedly.

"Now, Poppy, do you have the gift?" Athena asked impatiently. "I'm excited to see her reaction."

"Isn't this the gift?" Minerva looked between them. "What are you two up to?"

Poppy handed something to Athena and stood. "Here, you give it to her. I'll give you two a moment."

Minerva stared confusedly at the door as Poppy closed it behind her. "What did she just give you?"

"This," Athena said proudly, holding her hand out for Minerva. "Happy birthday, Min."

Minerva looked at Athena's hand and found a magical picture of Athena's womb. "Is this...?"

"A magical sonogram of your grandchild?" Athena grinned. "Yes, yes it is."

"Athena, this is..." Minerva trailed off, feeling her throat close with emotion. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Grandma," Athena sang softly. "You're the only one we're giving this to—we thought you should be the one to have it."

"Oh, my darling." Minerva pulled Athena's head to her chest. "While a part of me wants to keep it a secret, would you do me the favour of letting me tell your father? He'll be so hurt if he doesn't get to see this."

"Well, I know that Dad is in your rooms all the time, so I convinced Dalton that Dad should be shown the picture, too," Athena said, her trademark cheeky grin making an appearance.

"It's my birthday—give me the day off from teasing me about your father, please," Minerva muttered. "Speaking of your father, would you like to come and see him as I show him?"

"No, you should do it alone," Athena said gently. "Think of that as another gift to you. Besides, if I'm being honest, I want to go and rest at home."

"Here, let me help you up." Minerva pulled Athena's robes back down and let her daughter-in-law lean on her as she stood. "You look radiant."

"Good, because I feel like shit," Athena snorted. "I'm going to use the Floo here in Poppy's office; why don't you go and see Dad now?"

"Is he planning yet another surprise I don't know about?" Minerva asked.

"Not that I'm aware," Athena admitted, "but with Dad, you never know."

Minerva laughed. "Very, very true. Thank you for coming, dearest. This photo means the world to me."

"Happy birthday, Min." Athena hugged Minerva. "Dalton said to tell you he's sorry he can't be here, but he looks forward to seeing you on Saturday."

"And I him. Go home and rest—and send me an owl once you've arrived, all right? I know your father; he'll be worried sick if I tell him you were here alone and he doesn't receive confirmation that you've arrived home safely."

Athena rolled her eyes. "Fine. Now go."

Minerva had to cast a small Glamour over her face so her smile and teary eyes didn't scare the students in the halls. The last thing she needed was for her students to believe she was losing her touch.

"Albus?" Minerva called as she entered his office. "Are you busy?"

"No." Albus looked up from his desk. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, I just have something to show—" Minerva stopped and looked around at all of the portraits, some of whom appeared to be listening with interest. "Can we go into your quarters?"

"Yes," Albus said, a puzzled look on his face. He stood and opened the door that led to his private rooms. "After you."

As soon as Albus had shut the door behind him, Minerva exclaimed, "Look!" and thrust the photo forward.

"Min?" Albus' eyes went wide. "Are you pregnant?"

"What? Oh, Heavens, no." Minerva rolled her eyes. "I would have told you before I hit eight months pregnant."

"Eight months?" Albus squeaked. "So this is—"

"Our grandchild," Minerva said happily. She laughed as he picked her up and spun her around. "Albus, take a look."

"Look, you can see the hands. Oh, and look at the tiny feet," Albus whispered. "How did you get this?"

"Athena was in the Hospital Wing. That was Poppy's surprise for me," Minerva replied. "She and Dalton wanted me to have a photo of the baby for my birthday, and they said I could share it with you."

"Have they left?"

"Athena was the only one here—Dalton was at work. But," Minerva added quickly, "Athena seemed perfectly healthy, and she said she would send an owl once she was settled at home."

"I worry, that's all." Albus pulled her in for a hug. "I'm so glad she gave you that photo."

"Me too, Al. Me too."

"Are you ready?" Minerva asked, coming out of her bathroom. "I'd rather not be late to my own birthday party."

"Then how will anyone jump out and yell, 'surprise,' my dear?" Albus teased. He looked her over. "That's a wonderful dress. You look absolutely stunning."

"I'm glad you approve." Minerva spun around. "It makes me feel younger than this birthday would suggest."

"May I make a suggestion of my own and alter the neckline?" Albus said coyly.

Minerva laughed and patted his chest. "With our children in attendance? Absolutely not. We're going to be grandparents, Albus, and we need to act like it—especially in front of my son. It's one thing to bare my chest in front of Poppy and Ro, but Dalton? I love you, but nothing is worth that embarrassment."

Albus winced. "Well said, my dear. Are you ready to go? I've briefly opened the Floo network, so we can easily get to Ro and Poppy's."

"I am not a fan of the Floo, but that seems better than allowing my students to see me like this."

"What, with your hair down? I know you started putting your hair in a bun last month, but there are six years of students here that remember your hair in a braid, my dear."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Come on, let's go."

Albus gestured at the fireplace. "Ladies first."

Arriving at Ro and Poppy's, Minerva inhaled deeply. She had missed the warmth of their home; she hardly ever visited her friends here now that everyone spent the majority of their time at the castle.

"There she is!" Ro yelled, pulling Minerva in for a crushing hug. "Happy belated, my wonderful friend!"

"How much have you had to drink, Ro?" Minerva asked, chuckling.

"A Firewhisky or three! It's not often that I get to indulge when I live in a castle full of adolescents."

"Hear, hear," Minerva murmured. "Is everyone else here?"

Ro shook her head. "We're still waiting on Charlus, Iolanthe, Aoife, Callum, and Lucy. And Albus, but I suppose he's right behind you." Ro winked.

"Oh, Merlin, don't start with me," Minerva groaned. "Yes, he's coming. Now, where are you keeping my son?"

"In the living room, come on." Ro led Minerva to the rest of the group. "The birthday girl is here!"

"Oh, shush," Minerva laughed. She accepted a hug from Dalton. "Hello, darling."

"Hi, Ma." Dalton grinned. "Poppy was just telling us that you were here when you found out you were pregnant with me!"

"Yes, that was quite a day. I fainted at that table right over there." Minerva nodded in the direction of the kitchen. "I'm afraid I wrecked their housewarming party."

"Not at all." Poppy smiled kindly. "You simply required some extra attention."

"You've always been too kind to me," Minerva said, returning the smile. "Oh, hi, Albus."

Albus nodded as he entered the room. "Hi, everyone." To no one's surprise, he headed straight for Athena and sat beside her. "How are you, darling?"

"Fine, Dad," Athena said kindly. "No sicker than usual."

"Good. That's very good to hear."

"Yes, I'm quite happy about it," Athena laughed. She patted Albus' hand affectionately. "Thank you for caring, Dad, but there's no need to worry so much."

"Are you asking Albus not to worry? Good luck with that," Callum teased as he popped up behind Minerva. "Come here, Minnie. Happy birthday."

Minerva indulged her brother in a hug, choosing to ignore the nickname. "Thank you for bothering to come—and for bringing your entire family."

"We wouldn't miss it, Aunt Min," Iolanthe said, grinning. "Right, Aoife?"

"Quite right." Aoife, much shyer than her sister, hung back from the crowd. "Happy birthday, Aunt Min."

"Thank you, dear." Minerva moved away from everyone else and hugged her youngest niece. "Where's your partner? Alice, isn't it?"

Aoife smiled. "Yeah, Alice. I'm sorry I haven't introduced her to anyone yet. It's just that our family has more secrets than most, and I don't want her to feel obligated to keep all of them."

"I know most of those secrets are my fault, so I apologize."

"No need." Aoife shook her head. "You and I are cut from the same cloth: we're both private people. If Alice and I are ever at a point where marriage is on the table, then we'll talk."

"And will that be on the table soon?" Minerva asked, smirking. "Please keep me informed."

"You're the first one I'd tell; you know that," Aoife whispered.

Minerva laughed and kissed her niece's forehead. "I'm going to hold you to that."

Lucy's voice interrupted their conversation. "Should we get going? I'd hate to miss dinner. Albus told me the food at this establishment is quite good."

"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" Iolanthe clapped her hands. "Athena and I are each eating for two, so good food is exactly what we need."

"My dear?" Albus approached Minerva and held out his arm. "Would you allow me to escort you?"

Minerva laughed. "Yes."

"How chivalrous, Albus," Aoife said, giggling.

"I have to show you all how it's done," Albus responded, winking. "I don't want anyone claiming that chivalry is dead, after all."

"Oh, Dad, knock it off." Athena rolled her eyes. "Come on, everyone. Out the door we go!"

They left in pairs—Minerva with Albus, Athena with Dalton, Iolanthe with Charlus, and Lucy with Callum—with the exception of Ro and Poppy, who had Aoife sandwiched between them.

About fifteen minutes into their walk, Callum stopped suddenly. "Is this a magical area, Ro? Poppy?"

"Not especially, why?" Poppy frowned.

Dalton pulled his wand out. "Someone's here."

"What?" Minerva whipped around and tried not to notice how Albus' grip had tightened around her arm. "Are you saying that—"

She was interrupted by a flurry of spells sent her way. Albus quickly cast a protection charm, causing the spells to rebound.

"Get Iolanthe and Athena out of here!" Charlus yelled, withdrawing his own wand. "Poppy, take them away!"

Dalton ran to Minerva and tried to pull her away from Albus. "Ma, you have to go with them."

"Are you kidding?" Minerva looked at him incredulously. "No, you have to go. Not only am I not leaving my child, but if you get hurt, Athena is also in danger."

"Go, please!" Dalton protested. "I'm not losing you, too!"

"Dalton, less arguing, more duelling, please!" Albus called as he cast spells in every direction. "If we form a perimeter around the young women, they should be able to leave safely."

"Where are they coming from?" Callum panted as he moved to fit in the circle between Albus and Dalton. "Albus, can you tell?"

"The spells all seem to have the same two magical signatures," Albus said. "It's as though we only have two opponents, and they're moving quickly. Too quickly—I don't know how they're doing it."

Minerva felt the blood drain from her face. "They wouldn't be moving through time, would they?"

She felt Albus freeze beside her.

"Who would be moving through time?" Dalton asked as he sent off more spells. "Aunt Lucy, get closer—Athena, where are you?"

"I'm here." Athena approached him from the inside of the circle. "I'm not leaving you."

"Which is why you both need to go," Minerva stated firmly. "Dalton, if this is who I think it is, you're in danger, and you need to go. Now."

"But Ma!"

Before Minerva could respond, a sudden blast sent herself, Ro, Callum, Albus, Poppy and Lucy flying backwards.

"I'm too drunk for this," Ro grumbled. "Is everyone all right?"

"Not for long." A taunting voice came out of nowhere, and suddenly, a woman appeared before them.

"Katrina Rowle," Minerva spat dangerously, eyeing the woman for the first time since 1951. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here?"

Katrina cocked her head and smiled. "Why, I'm holding you lot up while Lord Tom takes care of your offspring. It was clever of you to think you could hide them, McGonagalls, but my Lord and I deal in time. All it took was finding one tiny slip-up, and boom, we knew—"

Albus cast a hex in Katrina's direction, which she just narrowly avoided.

"Katrina, it's foolish to think you can best the six of us," Albus said warningly. "Let us through, and there's no need to get hurt."

"Oh, Dumbledore," Katrina laughed. "Take a look around. That blast took you all far away from your children. Perhaps in time, perhaps in location. Perhaps both. Without me, you have no idea where your children are."

"No!" Lucy screamed. "No, you take us back!"

"Al, what do we do?" Minerva whispered, watching as everyone else started casting spells at Katrina.

"If we're somewhere else in time, there's not much we can do," Albus replied grimly. He looked at her. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course," Minerva said softly. She cast a Protego as a nasty-looking curse came flying their way. "Katrina, give up!"

"Can you all hold her off?" Albus yelled at their friends.

"Albus, if you think you can get the children back, we can manage!" Callum shouted. "Ro, watch my right!"

Minerva jumped as she felt Fawkes' wing on her shoulder. "Can Fawkes time travel?"

"No." Albus shook his head. "Fawkes can take us to their location if they're still in our time. I'll explain how later."

"And if they're not in our time?"

"We hope the group gets the best of Katrina," Albus said. He clutched at Minerva's arm, and she felt Fawkes fly them through the air.

They landed on a field, where, sure enough, they could see Tom Riddle duelling Aoife, Iolanthe, Athena, Charlus, and Dalton.

"They're holding their own," Minerva breathed.

"Fawkes, bring back the others," Albus murmured, entrusting his companion to the task. "Min, we need a pl—"

Aoife's screams interrupted him as a hex caught her side, causing her to crumple to the ground.

The sight of her niece immobile on the grass made Minerva's stomach clench.

"Fuck a plan, Albus," Minerva responded, invigorated with anger. She ran towards the fight, crying, "Riddle, get the hell away from them!"

She sent a well-placed Crucio that managed to catch Riddle's knee, forcing him to the ground.

"Go!" Minerva screamed at the younger generation. "All of you, go! We can handle this!"

"Do you really think so, Minerva?" Tom asked coldly from his spot on the ground.

Minerva looked at him, shocked. She had never seen someone recover that quickly from that particular Unforgivable curse before, not even during the war.

"Min, look out!" Albus yelled, and Minerva barely had time to turn before Dalton knocked her to the ground.

"What on earth?" Minerva looked at Dalton, whose leg seemed to have caught the curse meant for herself. "Dalton!"

"I'll be fine, Ma," Dalton ground out. He hissed as smoke began to emanate from his leg.

"We need to get you all to safety," Minerva argued. She watched gratefully as Albus began firing spell after spell at Tom, taking some of the heat off the rest of the group. "We'll get you all somewhere safe, and then Poppy can take a look at all of you."

Dalton looked back at the fighting. "Thank Merlin for Al—oh, shit."

Minerva followed Dalton's line of sight and found Iolanthe trying to hold up Athena, whose own leg seemed to be affected by whatever had hit Dalton. "Oh, Merlin."

If it weren't a life or death situation, Minerva would have found the sight of the two pregnant women stumbling almost comical.

"Min!" Poppy's voice filled Minerva with hope. "Fawkes brought Ro and me—Dalton, what the hell happened to your leg?"

"A curse," Minerva said tightly. "Can you get them all back to your house? Aoife is hurt, too."

"Noooooooooooo!" Iolanthe screamed.

Her scream forced everyone to stop moving, even the duelling Albus and Tom.

Katrina had appeared triumphantly on the hill behind them, clutching a squirming Fawkes, and Lucy and Callum's unmoving bodies.

"Don't worry, they're not dead," Katrina called, smirking. "Yet."

Iolanthe, to her credit, began casting spell after spell at Katrina, despite her condition and her hold on her cousin.

"How—dare—you—touch—my—family!" Iolanthe shouted. Her wandwork was impressive, but Minerva knew that, with the size of her pregnant belly, she was sure to be outmatched quickly.

"Iolanthe!" Minerva yelled, running to meet her niece. Charlus had the same idea as he dodged Riddle's spells to try to reach his wife.

They were too late.

Katrina cast a forceful spell at Iolanthe, one that caused the grass to ripple in its wake.

Minerva ran, but she couldn't stop the spell from striking Iolanthe clear across the stomach.

Her blood ran cold as she watched it hit Athena's belly, too, and then Minerva screamed mightily as she watched them both fall to the ground. She could only look as Charlus reached his wife, screaming.

"Damn it, Dalton!" Poppy cried.

Minerva ripped her head away from the pregnant women and back to her son, only to see blood now seeping from Dalton's stomach.

She felt a rage begin to flare in her stomach.

"You will never touch my family again!" Minerva roared.

She ran at Katrina, easily deflecting any and all spells sent her way. Katrina was the woman who had injured her children and killed her husband, and Minerva couldn't contain her rage anymore. With a deep breath, Minerva found herself uttering words she hadn't said since the Triwizard Tournament.

"Avada Kedavra!"

A shot of green light flew from Minerva's wand and struck Katrina straight in the heart.

Katrina fell back, hitting the ground with a loud thunk. Callum and Lucy fell with her, and Fawkes trilled as he flew through the air, free of the madwoman's grasp.

"No!" screamed Riddle. "No!"

The dark lord in training sent one final blast, forcing everyone to the ground, before he disappeared just as suddenly as he had arrived.

"Poppy, help!" Albus shouted, wasting no time hauling himself up and running to Athena's side.

"One moment," Poppy barked. She felt her hands shake, but she knew she needed to focus on her Medi-Witch persona if she was going to see everyone through this. "Charlus, come here and stay with Dalton. I know you don't want to leave Iolanthe, but I need you to keep pressure on his stomach. Ro, go and check on Lucy and Callum. Min, go and see Aoife. And I," she inhaled deeply, "will join Albus and look after Athena and Iolanthe."

Minerva ran to Aoife. Her Auror instincts took over, and she instantly found herself clinically inspecting her niece's form. "Aoife, can you hear me?"

"Yeah," Aoife groaned. Her eyes fluttered open. "I played dead. I figured that was safer."

"Oh, darling, probably," Minerva murmured. "What hurts?"

"My hip caught the worst of the hex, but there's only minimal blood," Aoife said, grimacing. "I think my ankle twisted when I fell."

"You didn't hit your head?"

"No, I'm fine." Aoife smiled sadly. "If someone can fix my ankle, I'll at least be able to make my way to Poppy."

"Hold on." Minerva pointed her wand at her niece's swollen ankle.

"Oh, hell," Aoife muttered. She flexed her foot. "That's much better, Aunt Min, thank you."

"Can you stand now?" Minerva extended a hand and looked at her niece expectantly.

"I think so." Aoife took hold of Minerva's hand. "Oh, ow."

"Are you—"

"Minerva!" Albus' horrified scream sent chills down her spine.

Minerva looked at Aoife, clearly torn.

"Go." Aoife released her aunt's hand. "Go and be with Albus right now. Athena and my big sister need you more than I do."

Minerva bit her lip and nodded, running to Albus and Poppy. Her eyes widened when she saw the amount of blood on the ground. "Poppy, how can I help?"

"She says we can't help," Albus said, his voice numb. "There's nothing we can do."

"Surely there's something we can do!" Minerva looked at Poppy and felt her heart hammering. "You can't tell me they're—that they're..."

She trailed off as Albus began to sob beside her.

"No," Poppy said, shaking her head. "No, I'm not saying that. But Albus...Min?" Poppy delivered the news as best as she could. "I can't handle this by myself. These injuries are causing severe pregnancy complications, and if we want the four of them to make it out of this unscathed, I need wands. Specialized wands. We need to get these ladies to St. Mungo's. Quickly."

Minerva barely felt Albus' hand grip hers.