"Màthair," Hermione whined. "Where are we going?"
"Patience is a virtue," Minerva teased as she dragged Hermione and Robert to Hogsmeade. The twins smiled at their mother. She had loosen up so much in the past few months. The stoic Professor McGonagall act was pushed to the wayside. Not to say she didn't demand orderly behavior and their best in her classes. She still held her classes to her high standards.
Minerva had relaxed her appearance since knowledge of her children had been made public. Her strict bun was relaxed to a softer bun at the nape of her neck. Her robes were still emerald green but much more form fitting and made from a softer, flowing fabric. The twins enjoyed seeing her smile and laugh frequently so she had gave in and allowed her emotions to show.
She tugged them into the Hog's Head. The twins greeted Aberforth with tight hugs and sloppy kisses on his cheek much to the wizard's displeasure. "Do something with your children Min," he said in a grouchy tone.
Minerva saw the fondness in his eyes regardless of the grouchy tone. She smirked at him, "Sorry Aberforth but the little heathens love you."
"Your company is in the backroom," he said as the twins finally released him.
"Thank you Aberforth," she replied with a smile. "Come along loves."
Minerva smiled at the French couple with Ted and Andromeda Tonks. The children quickly realized these were some of Arwen's family. Ted gestured to the three empty seats which they accepted.
"Minerva, Hermione, Robbie, I would like you to meet Jean and Celeste Bellamy. They raised Arwen," Andromeda introduced.
"It's a pleasure," Minerva greeted with a smile.
"We apologize for not being involved," Jean said. "We weren't aware Arwen was married or had children."
Minerva saw the hurt, the sadness, in the older couple's eyes and wanted to alleviate it. "Arwen insisted on keeping our marriage a secret," she informed them. "She spoke of enemies and given her politic affiliations, I thought she meant those that meant her political downfall. I truly didn't understand to what extreme until she was murdered. I am sorry Arwen kept so many secrets. She didn't inform me she was pregnant like The Daily Prophet proclaimed. I had no knowledge we had children until this past summer."
"She didn't tell you about the children," Celeste asked horrified at the thought.
Minerva shook her head sadly. "I can't fathom why she didn't tell me. Arwen must have had her reasons but it doesn't really matter in the end. I lost 15 years with my children that I can never get back and that hurts more than I care to say."
"You have us now Màthair," Hermione offered and leaned into the older witch. Robbie did the same from the other side. "Mother left us with all the information we needed to find you. She devised a way to keep us safe and to reunite us with you."
"Safe," Jean questioned.
"Arwen discovered the identity of her birth parents and several secrets they wanted to remain a secret," Minerva revealed. "She was murdered to keep that relationship and her father's dark side a secret. She feared the children would be murdered if they were discovered so she arranged for them to grow up in the Muggle World."
"Arwen's birth father murdered her?" Ted said horrified.
"He did," confirmed Minerva. "Unfortunately the truth cannot be revealed without causing damage to Hermione and Robert. If the truth became public knowledge, they would most likely be shunned by Magical Britain and France too."
"So the bastard will get away with murdering Arwen?" Celeste asked in frustration.
"Màthair managed to force him into an Unbreakable Vow to protect us and keep mother's parentage a secret," Robbie said with a smirk. "Mya has the wizard jumping through hoops to maintain those vows."
"Hermione Jean McGonagall," Minerva scolded. "You shouldn't be around him."
Hermione shrugged her shoulders and gave an unapologetic look to her mother. "The bastard deserves to suffer," she answered matter-of-factly.
Andromeda chuckled at the young witch's response. "She is just like you Minerva."
"I know," Minerva groaned as she rubbed her forehead in her frustration. "She may resemble Arwen more than me but she came by that vindictive streak honestly."
"You will let me know if you need assistance of any kind," Jean said with a smile directed at Hermione.
"I shall," Hermione agreed happily.
Minerva frowned at her daughter before turning back to Celeste. She removed a small box from her pocket and placed it on the table. She enlarged it and pushed it towards the older witch. "I know it will not erase the hurt," she said sympathetically. "I hope it shall help."
Celeste Bellamy looked at Minerva in suprise before she gently opened the box. She found a Muggle photograph in a silver frame. It showed Arwen and Minerva at their wedding ceremony in Paris. She smiled at how happy her daughter looked. Next she pulled out another matching frame with a picture of Arwen moments after she had given birth with her naked babies on her chest. The overwhelming love that showed on her face for her children was beautiful. The last item in the box was a double picture frame in the same silver pattern. The first picture showed Hermione and Robert laying opposite of each other on the couch with their noses buried in books. The second one showed the twins on stage at the pub in Muggle London. Robbie at the piano and Hermione with a microphone in her hand. She realized these photos showed their personalities.
"Thank you," she said emotionally as she met Minerva's gaze. "I shall treasure them."
"How close are you to Etretat?" Minerva asked attempting to lift the mood.
"We live in the closest magical community to it," Jean said with a curious expression on his face.
"I own a villa with a private beach area there," she revealed. "I hope to take the children someday and show them their mother's favorite places."
"Arwen loved the beaches of Etretat," Celeste said with a smile. "Please let us know if you make it to France and we shall clear our schedules. We would love to spend time with our grandchildren."
"I shall," Minerva agreed immediately. Her gratitude at their easy acceptance of the children warmed her heart.