"Stop calling me that!" Minerva hissed at her brother before she stood next to Harry again and took his hand in hers. "This is Harrison Potter. I invited him along since I really wanted you all to meet him," Minerva told them, and they both looked at each other at the same moment with a small but happy smile on their lips. Harry then turned towards her parents first, shaking their hands.
"I feel very honoured to meet you. I hope you don't mind that I came along, and please call me Harry, nobody really calls me Harrison," he said, and Robert McGonagall Sr. spoke first.
"Of course not, everyone is welcome, and it's nice to meet you too, Harry," he said in a heavy Scottish accent and laid his arm around his wife, who gave him a small but friendly smile.
"That's right, it's nice to finally meet the man our daughter wrote so much about," Isobel said, and when Harry looked at Minerva, he saw how her cheeks had a slight touch of red. Of course, he didn't want to point out what her mother was talking about and embarrass Minerva in front of her family. But Harry would probably tease her about this later. So instead, he turned to the other three adults in the room. While Minerva's brothers looked at him somewhat warily, Malcolm's wife smiled at him and immediately offered her hand.
"I'm Helen. Nice to meet you, Harry," she said with an honest smile and a warm and friendly voice that was slightly deeper than he had expected, coming from a rather petite woman.
"Me too, and congratulations on the new baby," Harry answered as they shook hands, and Helen's free left came to lay upon her bump and stroke over it in a loving, motherly manner.
"Oh, thank you! Yeah, it's our little surprise. But since they already outnumbered us, one more won't do much harm," she replied with a grin, and Malcolm stopped glaring at Harry for a moment to smile at his wife, who, in return, gave him a little nudge in the side with her elbow. Harry pretended he hadn't seen it. But nevertheless, he couldn't help but think that it could be some fun days with Robert Jr. and Malcolm if they were determined to keep the defensive brothers thing going for their whole stay.
"I'm Malcolm," he said in a deep and neutral voice as he offered his hand, and Harry almost expected Malcolm to try and squash it. But Malcolm kept from such childish manners, it was a normal handshake. He didn't say anything else though, and was then distracted by his children, who came running back to their parents.
"These two are our twins, Angus and Brianna, and the little one is Iona," Helen told Harry, who crouched down to be on eye-level with the kids as he gave them a smile and a wave. The twins looked at him somewhat torn between curiosity and timidity. On the other hand, little Iona looked one moment at him with eyes big before she started to cry and practically threw herself at her father, demanding to be picked up and get away from this scary-looking stranger.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to scare her," Harry quickly apologized, a little embarrassed, as he stood back up and stepped away from Malcolm, holding the wailing child. Robert Jr didn't even try to hide the fact that he found the whole situation hilarious and laughed freely, though he was quickly silenced by a subtle wave of Minerva's wand.
"No, don't apologize. Iona is always quick to cry when she meets new people. Especially now since she's in a phase where she's wary of everybody, so don't take it personally," Helen explained as her daughter slowly calmed down in her husband's arms again. Harry wanted to turn around and officially greet the last member of the family, who, using his own wand, lifted the silencing charm off him and was snickering in the corner when Angus spoke up.
"What happened to your face?" the little boy asked, his head tilted to one side and little brows pulled together in a small frown as he tried to think of something that could have caused the massive scarring. Before Harry or anyone could say anything, Helen turned to her son with a reproving look.
"Angus, don't say things like that to people. It is very rude, and above all, it's none of your business what happened, young man. I told you words can hurt as well, and I want you to apologize to Harry." she hadn't raised her voice, but the tone quickly made Angus realize he had done something wrong and let his head drop in shame a little.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to be rude," Angus said and held out his small hand. Harry crouched down again and gently shook the boy's hand.
"Apology accepted. Though your mother is right, I don't mind when someone asks about my scar. It happens all the time. I might even tell you how I got it some time if your parents allow it...and you don't get scared. But I think we don't have to worry about that. You're a brave lad, right?" Harry told him with a wink, and the young boy nodded eagerly, trying to stand taller than his twin sister with a grin.
"I'm not scared of anything!" he insisted, and his sister sent him a glare that reminded Harry a lot of Minerva as she stood on her toes to be even taller than her brother.
"I'm also not scared of anything!" she quickly exclaimed, and Harry couldn't help but chuckle.
"I expected nothing less. I'll tell you both the story then, and we'll see if you're really not scared of anything, there might even be some Dragons in the story," he told them, and both kids beamed at him as he stood back up.
"So you like to tell stories then? I wonder if that's all you do." Robert Jr. spoke up. Harry wasn't sure what he was trying to accomplish by that. The only thing it seemed to be doing was enrage Minerva.
"Robert. Even though you seem to be stuck on the mental level of a fifteen-year-old, it would be nice if you at least tried to act like an adult for once in your life. I don't need your protection. I wanted you all to meet Harry because I love him and want to be with him, so could you not mess this up for once?" Minerva retorted while throwing a glare at her brother across the room. But before either Robert Jr. or Minerva could say anything else, their father decided to end the argument.
"Alright, that's enough, both of you. Christmas is the time for family, and I won't have any of you ruin this day for the rest of us. Robert, Harry is an important person to your sister, and he is our guest; therefore, you will treat him like one. Now, everyone will be civil with each other so we can enjoy the time together. Who knows when we will all see each other again." Robert Sr. said and left no more room for arguments.
"Now that this is resolved, why don't we have some tea? I'd like to enjoy the time with my children and grandchildren." Isobel said, and Minerva sighed.
"I'll help you, Ma." with that, Minerva and her mother went into the kitchen while Robert Sr. stepped next to Harry and gestured towards the dining room.
"Let's sit down in the living room," he said, and the kids ran ahead of them, giggling while the adults followed. Only now did Harry see the doorway at the end of the dining room leading to the living room. While the dining room and kitchen had been nice though somewhat functional, the living room was indeed a typical Scottish one.
Even though the wood used for the two big bookshelves and the coffee table was rather dark, and the two sofas and armchairs were also made of dark brown leather, the room wasn't uncomfortably dark. The windows on the other side provided enough light, and the stone fireplace and the pictures, plants, and other decorations made the room very comfortable. Harry immediately felt at home.
Angus and Brianna were already playing with some toys on the floor between a sofa and an armchair. Their parents sat down next to them on the sofa to keep an eye on them. Robert Sr. and his youngest son sat down in the two armchairs, so Harry settled on the last sofa.
"You have a wonderful home, and I'm really thankful you let me spend the holidays with you at such short notice," Harry remarked with a smile, and Minerva's father returned the gesture.
"Thank you. And that's alright. I just wonder what your family was saying when you decided to spend the days away?" the older man asked curiously but not unkindly.
"Oh, well…my parents died a few years ago. But I still have an aunt and uncle and my younger cousin. Some of his friends will spend Christmas with them, so I figured that they already have their hands full with four teenagers. And I'd rather have a quiet Christmas," Harry answered and saw how the faces of the adults fell a little.
"I'm sorry you already experienced such loss in your life, Harry, but I'm glad you still have a family to support you when you need them."
"Thank you, yes, I'm thankful for what family I have left, but I really don't want to ruin the mood. It's fine, really. I accepted what happened as much as one can," Harry said and looked at the others, who quietly agreed.
"Alright, but I think I have to warn you. Your Christmas might not be as quiet as you think," Helen implied as she set little Iona down, who promptly walked over to her grandfather and climbed on his lap to play with his beard. Harry chuckled and nodded.
"Yeah, but they're allowed to be children and play. The four of them are almost finished with School and still behave like five-year-olds...on good days," he joked. Malcolm, Helen and Roberts Sr. chuckled while Minerva's youngest brother still sat in his armchair with a sullen expression and busy pretending he wasn't listening.
"Are you talking about the Marauders?" Minerva asked as she walked in, a tray with teacups and dessert plates in her hands and a large teapot floating after her, just in time to hear him talk about James and the others. Harry noticed that while Iona squealed delightedly at the sight of the floating teapot, her grandfather quickly looked away, apparently uncomfortable with this open display of magic. Her mother walked in behind her, a tray with all sorts of baked goods on it.
"Yes, and I really have to point out it's not a good thing you know exactly who I'm talking about based on that last sentence."
"May I remind you I had to deal with them for over six years? It's only been four months for you." Minerva answered as she placed the tray on the coffee table.
"Quick question, the Marauders?" Malcolm piped up as Minerva and her mother sat down next to Harry.
"James, Harry's cousin, and his friends formed this...club of theirs and call themselves the Marauders. I'm sure the biggest purpose of them was to test my nerves, but they did grow up a little over the years...and they are quite talented, that I have to admit." Minerva answered as she poured tea into each cup.
"I could never teach, and I really don't understand how you do it," Malcolm said, shaking his head and helping himself and Helen to some tea.
"Aren't you the one who always says that there is nothing worse than dealing with hypochondriac people day in and day out at St. Mungo's?"
"Yes, closely followed by hordes of teenagers," he answered.
"So you're a new teacher, Harry?" Isobel asked, looking at him before she sipped her tea.
"Yes, well, I'm actually a substitute teacher...sort of. I'm actually an Auror but decided to take a year off and teach Defence Against the Dark Arts." Harry told her and saw how everyone apart from Minerva and her father stared at him, surprised and impressed at the same time, and in Isobel's case, also a little worried.
"What's an Auror again?" Robert Sr. asked as he broke the biscuit in his hands in two and gave one piece to his granddaughter, who immediately bit into her piece with a big smile.
"An Auror is equivalent to the police, well rather special forces of the police. Our job is to catch the most dangerous criminals of our world in and outside the country."
"Oh, that really sounds like a dangerous job," Minerva's father said, and Harry quickly tried to think about what to answer. He wanted to be honest but also not worry them unnecessarily. But Minerva beat him to it.
"It is, but Harry knows what he is doing. There aren't many who manage to get the qualification and even less make it through the training to be an Auror," Minerva said as she poured herself some tea, and Harry smiled at her. Theoretical, he was no Auror in this time, but Minerva knew him. She knew of his skills and that he was an excellent Auror who could protect himself and the people around him, especially the ones he held dear.
"Yeah, you don't have to put them back together every week," Malcolm commented before emptying his cup. "Apart from that, how come Crouch lets you teach in these times? We're on the brink of war," he added, genuinely wondering, and his voice sounded more conciliatory than a few minutes ago.
"I owed Albus Dumbledore a favour, so when he asked if I might consider the job, I told him I would do my best to convince Mr Crouch. It took me a while, but I did it. But the real motive to do it was to teach children how to protect themselves when in danger, even if only so long until they can get to safety. And I give my best every day because you are right, the upcoming war will be unavoidable." he explained, and Malcolm nodded. Harry then reached forward and took a biscuit, throwing Minerva a glance, who smiled and then took his left in her right hand to calm him down and let her lover know everything was okay. Malcolm opened his mouth to say something else, but his mother was faster.
"Could we please change the subject?" Isobel asked and nodded at her playing grandchildren, making it clear that it wasn't a request.
They stuck to normal conversation for the rest of the tea, getting to know each other better. Harry listened in as the McGonagall family talked about everything that had been going on when they hadn't seen each other. While he could see and hear they loved and cared very much for each other, Harry couldn't help but feel the underlying tension in the room.
The way Minerva spoke and held herself was so different from the Minerva he came to know and love. There had been a few traits and moments when they were together that had reminded Harry of her older self before. But for the first time, he had the feeling that he was with the Minerva from his past, and it almost felt like she wasn't the same person anymore. She was different from Minerva he fell in love with and knew so well.
Minerva hadn't talked about her family that much. He knew she loved everyone dearly, even though her brothers drove her up the wall sometimes. She had told him a bit about each of them, that her mother was a witch and her father a muggle, but she hadn't mentioned something along the line that could explain this slight but ever present tension in the room.
Harry wondered if he should ask Minerva about it later if he was able to find a way to bring it up without sounding like a prying idiot. Harry didn't want to tear open old wounds that may have only healed on the surface. He didn't want to ruin her time with her family. It wasn't really any of his business. Maybe Minerva would tell him on her own when she was ready and not surrounded by the people she loved but who may have hurt each other in the past.
"If you don't mind, I would like to show Harry around a little before we head out for the service later," Minerva spoke up a moment later, almost like she had read Harry's thoughts and knew he had caught up on the tension. Though the reason could also be that the topics for their conversations were slowly running out.
"Oh, I thought you would help me with the rest of the cooking for tonight and preparations for tomorrow," Isobel remarked, looking at her daughter, who just got up and had mentioned for Harry to do the same. Minerva opened her mouth to answer when Helen beat her to it.
"Actually, I would love to help you, Isobel, and while we do, you have to tell me once more how you make your Christmas cake, I'm sure I follow your recipe, but mine's just not as good as yours." her sister in law said sending Minerva a meaningful glance to let her know she would give them some time alone.
"But you shouldn't be up-" Isobel tried to say, but Helen waved it off.
"Nonsense, I'll be fine! I'm just pregnant. And the kids can spend time with their father and uncle!" both Malcolm and Robert Jr. opened their mouths to protest, but a glare from Helen was enough to shut them both up.
"I can still help you later. I doubt we'll be gone for too long. Though Harry might be of more use to you than I. His cooking is fantastic." Minerva answered to please her mother, and it seemed to be working
"Alright then," Isobel agreed, and before Harry could say anything, Minerva pulled him from the room.
"I'm sorry, it must have been pretty boring for you to listen to us." Minerva began when they were in the hallway to the front door and walked towards a staircase to the left of the front door.
"No, it wasn't boring at all, I quite enjoyed myself, and I had perfectly normal conversations with your parents, one of your brothers and your sister in law," Harry answered as Minerva led them upstairs.
"I'm really sorry about Rob. I don't know why he always has to be like that-"
"I do know. You're his sister, Mina, he doesn't want you to get hurt. He wants to protect you. So before he doesn't know I'm not just a random prick sleeping with his sister and taking advantage of her, he will behave like that for a while. I can live with that." Harry said and had to smile when he saw the annoyed look on Minerva's face telling him she thought differently.
"It's stupid."
"Very much indeed, but I actually have another question. To what service are we going later?" Harry asked as they arrived on the second floor, unable to remember that Minerva had mentioned anything of the sort.
"Didn't I tell you?" she asked, a little perplexed, and when Harry shook his head, Minerva continued, "Well, since my father is a Presbyterian minister, we do attend the services he holds at the local church. One tonight before dinner and one tomorrow morning. I'm sorry, if you don't want to go, you don't have to, it's okay. I mean...we only really attend to keep up the act, but...well, it's important to my father." when speaking the last part, she turned away from Harry and walked down the hall past a few doors until she stopped in front of the last door. Giving her another moment because he didn't want to pressure her into anything, Harry simply followed her.
"That was, and sort of still is my room," she said upon opening the door and leading him inside. The room was relatively small, and most of it was occupied by a bed and two overflowing bookshelves. There was a small desk beneath one of the two windows and a wardrobe. The decorations were also simple. There were two plants and a few pictures. Naturally, she hadn't been able to decorate her room with anything from the magical world growing up, not only because her father didn't want that but, in the rare case, one of the few muggle friends she had came by.
Minerva watched Harry take in the room and threw a look around her old room herself. Minerva didn't know why but suddenly she felt a little embarrassed that it was so plain and boring, which hadn't bothered her ever before. This room had never represented her personality. In fact, it had little in common with her at all. It was an act, the room of a person she only had pretended she was for a few months a year and nothing more.
"I know it's nothing special..." she began, but Harry smiled at her and pulled Minerva against him for a quick kiss.
"There is nothing wrong with that. I happen to like it."
"I don't," she confessed quietly, and Harry frowned slightly at her. He wanted to help her and let her know she could talk about anything with her, but Harry didn't want to push her. Minerva didn't have to tell him if she didn't want to.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Minerva looked at him for a few moments, debating whether she really wanted to talk about it. She had never really done that. But this was Harry, if anyone could understand, then him.
"I think I do, but I can't do it here," she said and left his embrace to grab the blanket off the bed and waved her wand, transfiguring it into two thick cloaks for them to put on. "Okay, let's go." with that she took his hand and apparated them away.
They reappeared halfway hidden behind some rocks and high dunes on a deserted beach a moment later. A strong and icy wind pulled at them, and Harry quickly pulled his own wand and cast a warming charm on their shoes and cloaks to keep them even warmer against the wind.
"It's beautiful here, where are we?" Harry asked as they began to walk along the beach.
"A couple of miles away from our village, nobody ever really comes here, especially during this time of the year," Minerva explained, and Harry chuckled.
"I wonder why," he mumbled, and for a few moments, they walked in silence before Harry spoke up again. "You know you don't have to tell me anything, Mina, right?" he tried to assure her, but Minerva shook her head.
"No, I want to. It's just- I don't know where to start, really. It's not like I had to grow up like you did. In fact, it sounds ridiculous to complain about it after what you went through."
"Just because the Dursleys were particularly horrible doesn't mean what happened when you grew up wasn't difficult or less hurtful," Harry replied and took her hand in his giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Minerva nodded and then took a deep breath. "I love my family, I really do, I love my father, my mother and my brothers. And they love me...but sometimes I think that just makes it more complicated," she clarified, feeling like she had to lessen the effect of what she was about to tell him.
"Well, you know my mother is a witch, but she actually came from a well-respected, quite old and powerful family, and they weren't that excited when my mother fell in love with my father. Though it wasn't really the whole family but my grandfather, who was so against them, she was supposed to do great things and climb the social ranks even higher, but she couldn't possibly do that with a muggle for a husband. So he gave her the ultimatum, her family or my father, and my mother chose my father. Leaving her family, her friends, her career and the magical world, her whole life, behind. Underestimating the consequences of her actions." Minerva began, and Harry stayed silent and just listened, knowing that now was not the time.
"My mother locked her wand and a part of herself away in a small box under her bed and never practised magic again. She never even planned to tell my father, and they were happy that way until I was born. I did some accidental magic unusually early, at just a few weeks old, toys they had placed away were suddenly back in my crib, or the bagpipes of my father started to play. My mother even locked herself away with me to hide my magic, but she knew she had to tell him eventually.
"It was a great shock, even more so because of his own strong belief in God and everything. They stayed together, even if only because it was the right thing to do, and so he wouldn't lose his face to the people in the village. They do love each other, that's the only reason they managed to find somewhat back together, but most of the trust in each other was gone." she paused for a second before continuing to talk.
"When I got older, my father tried to understand what me being a witch meant, but I saw the fear in his eyes and the uncertainness whenever I couldn't control my magic. Which was rare because the most important rule was no magic, to always be in control of it. As soon as I could, I also helped my mother cover up the accidental magic of Malcolm and Rob, and because I could help, they didn't have to control their magic like I did," Minerva said and stopped to look at the cold, grey sea next to them, strands of her black hair whirling around her face.
"I grew up feeling like there was something wrong with me. No one ever really talked about it, and nobody really said anything, but there was always something lingering in the air. The fear of my father and the envy of my mother. And I thought I was to blame for that, that I caused my family to be this way, for ruining the relationship of my parents since my birth was the reason their lives fell apart, albeit for different reasons. If I, or my brothers, hadn't been born, my parents might have lived a happier life together… and until I left for Hogwarts, I wished for nothing more than to be normal and have no magic. I know my parents did the same with all of us siblings. I don't think she knows, but I found my mother crying in the bedroom after I got my wand. I knew she wasn't only crying because I would soon leave...she cried because I would be in the world she left behind, learn and do magic, everything she denied herself, and she envied me. And I hated that a part of myself made her feel that way." Minerva then turned to look up at him, unshed tears in her eyes and a small smile on her lips
"Then I came to Hogwarts, and for the first time, I felt free, I felt at home, I felt like I finally belonged somewhere. I learned what wonderful thing magic was, that I didn't have to be ashamed for being a witch and that I was talented!" at that, she turned to face the sea again but let go of his hand and raised her wand. Suddenly the wind stopped, and a large part of the sea in front of them rose high in the air in a giant spiral before letting it crash back down and quickly form a sphere of the water that came rushing at them, so they didn't get wet. Then, with another wave of her wand, the water flowed back, and a blink of an eye later, it looked like nothing had happened at all.
"It took me a long time to get over that. I hated coming home because I was back in the house where I felt so out of place, where I had to hide who I was and act like there wasn't a whole other world to which I belonged. I resented my mother for the better part of my teenage years because I didn't understand why she did what she did. She gave up what she was for the man she loved, but the consequences of her choices also affected us, not only her! It wasn't our fault we were born magical, but she made me feel like it was for eleven years. I couldn't understand how she could do something like that, and I swore I would never be like her. I would never give so much of myself up for a man. I forgave her eventually, I forgave them both, and even though it was difficult, we found a way back together as a family.
"But I only began to understand her after I fell in love with you. I never felt something like this before, and while I still wouldn't give up my magic for anyone...I understand where the thought is coming from. When you would do almost anything to be with the person your heart belongs to." Minerva said quietly as she slipped her hand back in his, and looked up at him. Emerald and teal meeting in front of a windy, grey sea.
Harry then gently pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. He was sorry that she had gone through that in her childhood. That she had to grow up feeling like part of who she was, was to blame for what went wrong in her family. Even though her parents loved her, Minerva grew up forced to hide who she was for the sake of her family. Not only outside of her home but even inside. So much she even began to resent the magic inside her, which was such a big part of her.
He also couldn't help but feel a tiny spark of anger toward her mother and father for putting their children, but especially Minerva, through so much. It just wasn't fair. No child should have to hide themselves around the people they loved the most and who were supposed to protect and support them. What the Dursleys had done to him was worse in a different way, but something that had helped Harry growing up was that they were only his aunt and uncle and that his parents would have treated him better. But in Minerva's case, it had been her parents and not some relatives who hurt her.
"I know it's not easy to talk about the past and everything that went wrong and what you went through. As long as you don't tell anyone, it doesn't have to be real, you can try to forget it. But once you speak about it, the reality of what really happened can be overwhelming. It means a lot that you told me," Harry murmured in her ear as he still held her close.
"I wish you could have had a better childhood, one where you could be happy and carefree all the time. With parents who accept you for who you are and don't make you feel like you're the reason they're not happy or that they couldn't give you the childhood you all deserved. Still, you grew up to be the most wonderful, powerful, talented and beautiful witch I know, and I love you so much."
Minerva leaned back in his embrace and then pulled him in for a long kiss. She had thought that Harry would understand, but deep down, there had still been that fear of telling him for precisely the reasons he mentioned. She was still embarrassed for feeling that way about her childhood, about her parents, and at the same time, he had been through much worse, and Minerva didn't want Harry to think she thought their childhoods were even remotely comparable.
But now that she knew for sure he really understood her and didn't ridicule her at all, she was so relieved because he knew what she had been through and that being back home wasn't easy even though she loved her family.
When she broke their kiss, Minerva looked him in the eyes again before answering, "I love you too, Harry. I know, even though I don't like to talk about it...that I can trust you, that I can be honest. You're one of the few people who know that about me, and I'm glad I told you because you deserve the truth, and I feel even closer to you now."
"And I will never break that trust, Mina," Harry vowed and brushed his lips against hers for another small kiss. "Would you like to go back now? Or stay for a bit longer?" he asked once they parted again.
"Let's stay and have another few moments for ourselves before we head back." He only smiled at that and laid his arm around her before they continued their walk along the beach.
The two of them actually forgot the time during their walk because when Minerva apparated them back, they were just in time to get dressed for the Christmas Eve service at her father's church.
"Where have the two of you been? We have been so worried! You said you wouldn't be gone that long, we have to leave in a few minutes. Your father already left," Isobel slightly scolded them as they walked through the front door. She had already changed out of the apron and the green dress wearing one a bit nicer and formal for the service.
"Sorry, Ma, we lost track of time, but we'll be ready to go in a few moments." Minerva quickly apologized to calm her mother down, which seemed to be working. Isobel just shook her head with a small sigh before leaving for the living room.
"Alright, just hurry. I'll tell the others you are back, and we can get ready to leave." Harry then turned to look at his lover.
"I forgot to mention earlier I have never been to any church before. What do I wear? Or do and say?" he asked, slightly confused and Minerva's expression turned apologetic again.
"I'm really sorry I didn't tell you! Give me a second I'll transfigure something for you. And for the church part itself, it's actually not hard, rather boring, to be honest, just stay silent and do what we do. Basically, all you have to do is listen and don't fall asleep. My father can get quite crossed then." Minerva told him as she waved her wand over him, and Harry found himself standing there in a simple but elegant suit and long black coat a second later. She then transfigured a dark green dress on herself, similar to the one her mother had worn earlier and a dark coat as well.
Just when Minerva had put her wand away, the rest of her family appeared from the living room, all dressed for the church and the weather outside.
"Good, you're ready, let's go then!" the mother of the three McGonagall siblings said, and that's what they did. On their way to the church, Angus and Brianna ran around the adults, while little Iona was pretty content in her father's arms, babbling happily the whole way through the village.
When they arrived at the Church, Harry felt a bit nervous again when he saw that there were quite a few more people than he had expected. But then again, he really had no idea about these things, so why had he assumed there weren't many people there to begin with?
Harry leaned down and murmured in Minerva's ear upon entering the church. "Are you sure I can do nothing wrong and embarrass myself in front of hundred people?"
She smiled at him and shook her head. "Yes, I'm pretty sure. Funnily enough, the less you do, the less attention is on you. So just don't move, sing or speak too much, and everything is alright. Seriously, the only rule is not falling asleep unless you want my father to dislike you," Minerva answered, and Harry nodded.
"Okay, no falling asleep. I think I can manage that."
"It's harder than it seems, trust me," Minerva mumbled as they took their seats, and Harry threw her a halfhearted glare.
"Thanks, that's really helping."
"You're welcome."
It turned out the service held by Robert McGonagall wasn't that bad at all, not that Harry had anything to compare it to, but he actually found it fascinating. At least the bits he understood and could follow. Minerva also had been right with the fact that there wasn't much to do apart from listening to what her father was saying.
But as it turned out, there was quite a surprise waiting for the woman he loved.
"Before I send you home now, I have a small plea for my dear wife and my daughter, who travelled a long way to be with her family for the festive season. Would you both please come up here and sing for us?" Robert Sr. spoke, and Harry looked at his lover in surprise only to see she seemed equally surprised as him.
"Oh no. I'd hoped he wouldn't," Minerva sighed as she squeezed past Harry and then walked up to her father together with her mother, whispering with her on their way to the front. Harry had no idea what to expect when mother and daughter, who looked so much alike and were yet so different, shared a glance before they began to hum a tune and then to sing.
What he certainly hadn't expected was for both of their perfectly in tune and beautiful voices to echo around the room.
Harry had no idea Minerva could sing, another secret she had kept to herself. But he didn't care she hadn't mentioned it because it was one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard, even though he had no idea what they were singing about since it was Gaelic. But it didn't matter what they sang. Harry could simply listen on forever and ever. Their voices alone were enough to enchant everyone in the church.
Harry was so enamoured with the woman he loved that he didn't even notice everyone around him had sat down again to listen to the duet of mother and daughter. That was until a very amused looking Helen pulled on his coat to snap Harry out of his trance and mention for him to sit down, which he quickly did, as well as trying hard to hide his embarrassment.
Minerva's sister-in-law then leaned over to whisper in his ear, "I've rarely seen someone look at another person like that. You do love her, don't you?" Helen asked, and Harry turned to look down at the woman who smiled knowingly at him.
"Yes, more than anything or anyone else in my life," Harry answered truthfully, and Helen's smile widened.
"Welcome to the family then."
Hello, my dear readers!
First of all, I want to thank you so much to everyone who still read, reviewed, followed and favoured the story! It really means a lot to me.
I also want to point out that I still managed to update the story under the one year mark, not by much, but I'll take it!
Kidding aside, I'm very sorry you had to wait so long for an update again, but I still work in the healthcare system, the pandemic and everyday problems didn't disappear over the last year through at least the pandemic did finally get better. I will also admit I haven't been in the mood for Harry Potter or fantasy in general for a long time and really did not have much time to write. But now, I finally returned to this piece again, not wanting to let you wait any longer. Again, I am sorry you had to wait so long!
I know nothing much happened in the chapter, but I have to get back into the topic, and well, Harry did only meet Minerva's family. Usually, there's not much action happening in such situations. I still hope you liked it, though and would appreciate some feedback from you guys. Also, please bear in mind I didn't know anything about the presbyterian church, etc. It was a pain in the neck to do the research, especially how things were in the 70s. So before I write only nonsense, I kept it to a bare minimum.
I hope all of you and your families and friends are doing okay! Thank you so much again for reading my stories!
All the best,
Patti