Hermione and Robbie grinned at their mother as they tugged her through the streets of Muggle London. The older witch was dressed in a pair of tailor made dress slacks and a fitted emerald button up shirt. Her hair in loose curls hung down her back and her slight makeup brought out her best attributes. "Where are we going?" she asked again.
"It's a suprise," Hermione answered with a grin.
Minerva laughed and allowed her children to led her to a rather out of place pub. She recognized the celtic designs on the sign and smiled. "You brought me all the way to Muggle London to go to a pub?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes," Robbie admitted with a laugh. "There is something rather unique about this pub though."
Upon entering, Minerva realized it was band night at the pub. Her eyebrows raised in suprise as her children tugged her to the table reserved up front. "Who's the bird," an overly muscled man asked.
"That bird is our Màthair," Robbie answered with a smile and clap of the hand to the man. "Leland Kelly this is Minerva McGonagall."
"Pleasure Mam," Leland greeted with a bow of his head.
"How's business lately?" Robbie interrupted with a grin.
"Way more profitable than before," the man answered. "I owe you and Mya more than I ever can repay."
"There can be no debt between friends," Hermione offered with a smile and kissed Leland's jaw in greeting. "Lee here?"
"Ask and you shall receive," a familiar voice said laughingly. Lee Jordan moved towards his friends but stopped in mild suprise as he saw his teacher in rather form-fitting clothing. "Professor McGonagall?"
Hermione laughed at his expression. "She's just our Màthair tonight," she said teasingly. "No titles please."
Minerva grinned at the expression on the dark-skinned Gryffindor's face. "Just Minerva," she offered her hand in greeting and a shrug of her shoulders.
Robbie elbowed his friend who got out of his stupor and grinned mischievously. "Pleasure to meet you Minerva," he said with a grin and kissed her hand.
"Let's go geek," Hermione said as she pushed the boy towards the back, laughing the entire time.
"Can you bring Màthair your finest scotch?" Robbie asked the owner as he gently pushed Minerva into her seat. "Please stay here. We have a suprise for you."
"Very well," Minerva agreed reluctantly. She watched as he walked backstage and disappeared from sight.
"You teach Lee at that special school," the rough voice of Leland Kelly asked.
Minerva smiled at the owner before nodding her head. "I do," she answered as she took the offered glass of scotch. "I am his dormitory mother in a sense as well."
"He do good," the man asked curiously.
"He does," Minerva answered honestly.
"I'm glad," he finally said. "His dad abandoned him a few years ago when his mother died. My idiot of a nephew called the boy a freak and just left him at King's Cross Station. I took him in as soon as I realized. His unique gifts don't change how I feel about the boy."
"I wasn't aware Lee's mother had passed away or that his father abandoned him," Minerva answered with a frown marring her face. "I usually receive notices so I can monitor any issues that may arise in those instances. I am glad he has you in his life."
"I am grateful I have my fun-loving boy back. He went through a rough patch after everything happened," the man confided. "Mya befriended my boy at his lowest and pulled him out of depression. She has claimed him as another brother I think and I shall always remember her kindness."
"I didn't realize they were close," Minerva admitted. "They hang in different groups at Hogwarts."
"That's on purpose," Leland said. "He prefers to look after her and says he can't do that if everyone knows they are friends. I think they enjoy having a secret life from their school."
Minerva smiled at that. "I am glad he is protective of her."
"He is," the man exclaimed. "She is of him as well. Did you know your daughter sold her first edition William Shakespeare collection to pay for Lee's schooling when she found out I couldn't pay for him to continue?"
"Hermione did," Minerva asked flabbergasted. Her daughter adored books but a first edition William Shakespeare collection was rather rare to come across. They were irreplaceable.
"I have been saving every bit extra I can so I can buy her those books back one day," he said emotionally. "Mya and Robbie helped me turn around the pub too. You have fine children."
"Thank you," Minerva responded emotionally.
The lights dimmed and a spotlight shined on the small stage area. She was suprised to see Lee sitting behind the drums, Robert at the piano and Hermione had a microphone in her hand. Slowly sounds errupted from the piano and she watched as her daughter moved to the beat. Lee came in softly with the drums as they played confidently. Her mouth dropped open as Hermione began to sing.
Minerva recognized the song, Zombie by the Cranberries, it was a beloved Muggle song in the area and almost everyone did a cover of it. It seemed the group was putting more of a rock spin on the song. Hermione had an angelic voice and belted out the popular alternative rock song. As she neared the chorus, Hermione's tone changed to a rougher one. Lee and Robbie provided backup vocals as they played their instruments amazingly. As the song ended, Minerva was on her feet clapping happily for the group. They had done a fabulous job and apparently the entire room thought so.
Hermione winked at Minerva before picking up a fiddle and starting a traditional Celtic tune. Robbie and Lee jumped in flawlessly and gave the tune a more dance style version of the song. Hermione danced across the stage until many in the pub stood and danced merrily.
"That was marvelous loves," Minerva said as she hugged them once they returned to the table. "I hadn't anticipated so much musical talent."
"We still have ton of suprises left Màthair," Hermione said with a Chesmire cat grin. Minerva laughed heartily and enjoyed the remainder of the evening with her children immensely. It was refreshing to escape from the Wizarding World at times! It was nice to be Just Minerva too!