Isobel McGonagall straightened her posture and took a deep breath when she heard the sounds of apparition on Friday night. She gripped her wand in her hand and looked at her husband who was staring at her in suprise. "The magic I feel isn't friendly," she whispered to him urgently. "Anyone in a black cloak and mask means to harm you. Avoid them at all cost, hide if you can and remain as quiet as possible. I have to help our neighbors."

"Isobel," Robert pleaded as he heard high pitched screams. "It's not safe out there!"

Isobel kissed his lips gently. "It's not but I shan't be deterred. I have to help and I have the magical ability to do so. Help our neighbors get into the church. I have warded it to keep those that wish us harm out of it."

Robert McGonagall watched as his wife magically braided her hair, the way the old clans used to do when going to battle he noted, her wand firmly in her grip and walked into the madness errupting around them. Shaking his head, he moved out the back door and started directing every person he saw to the church.

Minerva, Malcolm, and Robbie McGonagall apparated to Caithness as soon as word of the Death Eater attack sounded in the Ministry. Minerva still had her contacts who quickly informed them. "Is that Màthair?" Malcolm asked in disbelief.

Minerva looked towards the direction he was and felt her jaw drop open in suprise. Isobel McGonagall had her wand firmly in hand. Her hair was braided eloquently, her normal dress was replaced with Dragonhide robes and she was engaging three Death Eaters. "It is," she answered, awe present in her tone. "She's actually using magic!"

"Merlin," Robbie breathed as she dropped two Death Eaters effortlessly. "Remind me not to upset her."

His siblings nodded their heads but quickly moved towards the remaining Death Eaters. They still had plenty of enemies to disarm.

Isobel McGonagall watched in horror as Minerva jumped in front of a spell headed for Dougal McGregor. Her shield failed and her wand was knocked out of her hand. Isobel threw a hasty conjured shield up and moved towards her daughter. The shield was not powerful enough and Minerva was hit with a slashing spell across her chest. "Minerva," she screamed as she made a mad dash to her daughter's side.

Malcolm and Robbie moved between them and the remaining Death Eaters to protect them as much as possible. Isobel laid her daughter flat on her back and quickly muttered healing spells. Dougal looked on in a mixture of wonderment and horror at seeing Minerva's lifeless form. "Is she alive," he sobbed as he saw the look on Isobel's face.

"Barely," she whispered brokenly. "If we can't get her to a healer soon she won't survive it."

Dougal looked at the pale witch near him. He loved Minerva McGonagall and most likely always would. "Don't you give up now Min," he whispered as he held her hand and gently kissed it. "I love you."

A pulsing gold light emitted from Minerva and surrounded Dougal. "What the bloody hell is that?" Robbie asked as the last of the enemy apparated away.

"That's the start of a soul bond," Malcolm said in awe. "I have read about them but never saw one."

"Her chest is healing," Dougal said amazed. "It's knitting back together."

"Don't let go of her hand," ordered Isobel in a determined tone. "I need an honest answer Dougal. Are you in love with Minerva?"

Dougal nodded his head yes. "I have been in love with her since we were 17 years old. I asked her to marry me once but she ran off to London the same week."

"She wouldn't give up her magic for love," Malcolm answered sadly. He had often wondered why his sister rarely went out on dates and now he had his answer. "We have strict laws in our world about keeping magic from those that don't know about it. Min wouldn't have been able to tell you about magic unless you had children."

"She saw what that did to me and refused to live like that," Isobel said sadly. "Dougal she ran away so she wouldn't become bitter like I have."

"Aurors are here Màthair," Robbie said. "I see Nott and we know he despises Min. We need to get Min out of sight before they obliterate Dougal and prevent the bond from happening since he's a muggle."

"Dougal," Isobel said. "I want you to carry Minerva to your home. We need to get you out of sight. They can't obliterate you if the bond is complete."

Dougal picked a pale Minerva up gently and carried her to his home. Isobel accompanied him to prevent others from stopping him or from separating them while the bond was initiating. "Take her to your bedroom and lay her down," Isobel ordered. "She most likely will sleep for a while yet."

Dougal laid Minerva on his bed gently and settled next to her since the gold light was still pulsing softly. "Dougal," Isobel said. "Would you still marry Minerva if given the opportunity?"

"Yes," he said with no hesitation. "I love her and always will."

Isobel smiled at him. "The soul bond if consummated will be considered a legal marriage in the Magical world and unbreakable."

"Your daughter was just injured," Dougal tried to argue but Isobel cut him off.

"You won't get a third chance Dougal. Minerva will blame herself for getting you mixed in the Magical World and will push you away. Don't allow her to do so."

Dougal looked at Isobel McGonagall in suprise. "You want this bond to be finalized, don't you?"

Isobel smiled before nodding her head. "You are soulmates and neither of you will be settled without the other. Magic is telling you that Minerva is the witch for you. You just need to convince her of that! I will ward the house so no one else can enter."

"Minerva will be furious about your involvement," Dougal commented.

Isobel chuckled and agreed. "She will be but this is in her best interest." With that said, Isobel walked out of the room. She stopped at the closed door and grinned mischievously before flicking her wand and removing the clothing from Dougal and Minerva. She heard Dougal's suprised yell before warding the house and leaving them alone. She hoped Dougal could convince Minerva to consummate their bond. Magical Britain apparently depended on her strength and guidance or as least according to her visitor.